Hello there.
First off, Merry Christmas and hope everyone is enjoying the festivities. I am pretty sure this update comes as a shock to many of you, considering the last update for this fanfic was 2 years ago. This fanfic has been put on hiatus for quite some time, as I have stated my intention to complete 'Demons From My Past' and then take a break from fanfiction indefinitely.
Moody authors like myself write on sudden whims or moods and just two days ago, I found myself writing a new chapter for this fanfic. I don't know what prompted me to do it, what music I was listening to, or if I read a particularly inspiring story. I don't really know. I remembered corresponding with a user by PM some time ago, and I remembered mentioning that I stopped updating 'The Emperor's Last Consort' as I have started writing an original fiction in a similar setting and did not want both my writings to clash. That still holds true to this day, though I am still working on that original fiction - albeit at a speed slower than that of a snail.
Writing is something I can only do at leisure now, but I do enjoy it very very much.
I wish to thank those who had reviewed this fanfiction for the last chapter and over the year, and I see that there are still reviews being written despite this fanfic being dormant for the past 2 years. I do sincerely thank you for the interest. Believe me when I said I have read them all - reviews and PM notifications are sent directly to my email inbox.
I was supposed to finish this on Christmas Eve but I was caught busy and just managed to finish it this Christmas evening. In respect for this new update, I have taken the Hiatus tag down for this fanfic but I cannot promise you that it won't go up again one day. Rest assured for those who are waiting for 'Demons From My Past', I work on it whenever I can but it will take some time as the upcoming chapter is supposed to be one of the most significant ones in the story.
I actually did like this chapter once I read it through once. And I hope you will like it as much as I did. Merry Christmas.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Bleach series or its characters. I own this story and plot.
The ministers filed out of the imperial meeting hall in two orderly lines. There were both the old and new, and robes of many colours with amulets hanging from the fronts bearing different insignias and titles.
The afternoon state meeting had just ended after three long hours of earnest discussion with Emperor Byakuya.
One of the ministers leading the left line along the hall, looked up. He was handsome, with wavy brown hair and clad in a white robe with black-lined sleeves. "I must offer my congratulations and admiration to you, Kyoraku, for yet another milestone in office. His Majesty has once again approved of your proposal, this time of the dam construction along the smaller cities."
The minister leading the right line of the hall, only smiled. His similar brown hair was longer and curlier, tied up at the back of his head with an eccentric flower headband. His robes were a soft pink and bore floral motifs. "Ah, you humble yourself, Sosuke. Your time will come… when your plans are much less, shall we say, ambitious."
"Arrangements for a fortified military base on the outskirts of the country is ambitious?" Aizen raised one eyebrow slightly.
"It is… if increased taxes and burden on the common people are the proposed ways to achieve it." Kyoraku's expression was one of mild amusement. "The country of Seireitei at present needs no such recharge in military – especially when we have very able Generals and able men. And imposing all those heavy taxes on the common people… where would all the pretty girls look for money to buy their pretty clothes?" Kyoraku threw his hands up dramatically.
"I believe when they have given themselves up to brothels, you will have easier access to them. On these grounds alone, you should be supporting my cause." Aizen's voice tone was conversational, even if his answer was thorny.
Kyoraku only laughed heartily. "My dear Sosuke, pretty girls do not belong in brothels. They belong out in the open, free to pursue whatever they want. Education… family… or even an old minister such as myself."
They walked along in silence for a while.
"Beefing up the military and national power is of utmost importance if one wishes to remain on top." Aizen spoke up. "It is amazing that His Majesty takes this matter lightly."
"His Majesty is well aware of our splendid armies, and knows we are in a safe place," Kyoraku replied. "And if we were to poise our armies on the border, it would only send an ill message to the neighbouring countries."
"A message they would do well to remember." Aizen's voice was cool.
"Hueco Mundo may be a barbarian country, but they know the value of peace. So does Karakura, there has not been a war for many decades. There is no need for us to antagonize them now." Kyoraku stopped walking suddenly. "Unless of course… these proposed new armies were to serve a different purpose?"
Aizen turned to face the older minister, halting his steps as well. "What may you be implying, Kyoraku?" His voice was light, almost as if they were only having leisure talk.
"What could a womanizing fool such as myself imply?" Kyoraku winked at his younger colleague. "Well then, I will be off now to go look for my beautiful Nanao-chan. You watch yourself now, young man."
"And you." Aizen nodded, smiling but the smile did not reach his brown eyes.
xXxXx
"Aizen-sama."
Aizen nodded as one of his subordinates appeared at his side.
"So the proposal for a new military base was rejected?"
Aizen only nodded, watching the receding back of Kyoraku Shunsui. "I foresaw it, that proposal was too bold. I would have been surprised if His Majesty accepted it. It seems that I will have to be a little more subtle next time."
His subordinate nodded.
"Ah, I forgot." Aizen turned away as Kyoraku disappeared around the corner of a walkway. "How are the Emperor's personal affairs in the harem? I heard that a new batch of consorts have been selected just recently."
"Hai. But he has not summoned any of them to his bed just yet."
Aizen smiled. "I have heard that Inoue Sora's younger sister had just entered the palace in this newest group of consorts."
The lower-ranked minister nodded. "Lady Orihime. She is also renowned for her beauty and gentleness. Many a General had asked for her hand in marriage, but Inoue Sora chose to send her into the imperial harem."
"Then he is also a man who does not settle for less. Maybe it is time we paid a visit to the Inoue residence." Aizen smiled.
xXxXx
Emperor Byakuya walked along the stone pathway, his long strides even and unbroken. It was twilight, the last of the evening sunset disappearing to welcome the night. He had had an early dinner and then decided to take a long walk in the gardens. The meeting earlier in the afternoon to discuss the national affairs had taken up most of his energy, and he decided the time spent walking would give him much-needed peace.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
Byakuya barely glanced at the small entourage that had materialized to the right of the pathway, only pausing to nod as they bowed to him and then went on his way.
The Emperor walked along the royal courtyard alone for a bit, but then his steps slowed just slightly.
"Senbonzakura."
The Emperor's secret guard was already down on his knees behind him before Byakuya turned around. The young Emperor spared a glance at the masked warrior, before he continued his steps. Recognizing his master's unspoken message to follow, Senbonzakura traced the steps of the Emperor in his shadow.
"What are your thoughts on Aizen Sosuke?"
"I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. Secret guards are forbidden to have political inclinations so as not to jeopardize Your Majesty's protection." Senbonzakura bowed. "Therefore, I find myself at fault for being unable to answer Your Majesty's question."
Byakuya continued walking. "You stay by my side almost like a second shadow, you watch the court proceedings unseen. When I selected you to be my guard, it was as much for your swordsmanship as for your intelligence." The Emperor paused in his steps. "And intelligent men will always have thoughts. You already have your own, you merely do not wish to tell me."
At those words, Senbonzakura fell to one knee. "Your Majesty-"
"I am not offended." The young Emperor's words cut his faithful guard off. "I understand that you only do so, in fear of inciting any bias or prejudice by your words. Rest assured that I am not easily swayed. But you may keep your words to yourself, and rise now."
The samurai warrior slowly rose. His expression remained unseen behind the hard mask but Senbonzakura felt that if his mask were stripped off now, what the Emperor would see would be cerulean eyes filled with nothing less than admiration and faith.
Emperor Byakuya may be a young ruler, but he was wise beyond his twenty-five years of age. He had the grit that the previous Crown Prince Kuchiki Sojun never possessed, and retained enough humanity to not become the iron fist ruler that the last Emperor Kuchiki Ginrei was. Senbonzakura had served under all three nobles at certain points in time, and he had long believed that Emperor Byakuya was the one ruler this country deserved. The man read through people and their thoughts so easily, all the while remaining a closed tight book to everyone around him. He was intelligent and his mind was that of the winning side of a chessboard, perceiving and responding to people and threats around him so easily and flawlessly. Emperor Byakuya was this country's godsend, and Senbonzakura was proud to protect him.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty." Senbonzakura apologized once more as he followed behind his master, as the young Emperor had once again picked up his steps. "I do not have much to say about Aizen Sosuke…" Senbonzakura hesitated briefly. "… except that I somehow believe we will cross swords one day."
The Emperor was only silent at these words, and Senbonzakura briefly wondered if he had said too much.
"You and me, both." Emperor Byakuya remarked as they crossed a bridge leading to the gardens. Senbonzakura felt the relief at his sentiment being shared by the Emperor, but he had not for a second doubted it.
Aizen Sosuke was a dangerous man, that much Senbonzakura knew from what he had seen and heard in the court. The man was courteous, well-mannered with a sharp mind, an amicable front that belied the dark aura and intentions that Senbonzakura had caught from the disguised words and plans that this minister brought forth in court. This man definitely did not work for the country, he was working for something else entirely – something that Senbonzakura suspected was ownership of the golden throne that he stood hidden behind in court everyday. But Emperor Byakuya was no fool, if his dismissal of most of Minister Aizen's plans were any indication. Senbonzakura suspected that his master was slowly biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike and be rid of the thorn in the flesh before a major coup happened in the country.
But for now, Aizen Sosuke hid in the shadows as well, biding his time. For what, Senbonzakura did not know and wished would never come to pass.
The Emperor and his secret guard passed over the bridge and walked up the stone pathway. Before they could reach the gardens, Senbonzakura's sharp eyes caught sight of the foreign figure far ahead.
xXxXx
Inoue Orihime took a moment to calm her fast-beating heart.
"Alright, His Majesty has left. Lady Orihime, allow me." She felt her handmaiden help her up from her kneeling position on the ground.
It had been a shock when the Emperor had abruptly crossed in front of her small group just a while ago. Orihime had instantly recognized him and fell to her knees, greeting him. The Emperor however, appeared to barely notice as he allowed a small nod and breezed past the group.
"Lady Orihime, I think he did look at you for a bit just now!" Her handmaiden was gushing happily. Orihime would have liked to believe so, but she knew it was not true. The Emperor had barely spared a glance at the lot of them, his eyes coasting just for a moment without interest.
Interest.
It was something Orihime had grown up with her entire life. When she was a small child, her family and friends of her family would gush over her - commenting on her lovely orange hair and chubby cheeks and how she would grow up into a beautiful young woman. When she did grow up, the endless fussing over did not end and people were telling her how she could move mountains with her beauty, and how men would kill to take her as a wife.
When their parents passed away, the interest did not die down. Now, there were young men turning up at their residence to ask for her hand in marriage. All sorts of men, from scholars to Generals to ministers – and they were all promptly turned away by her protective older brother Sora.
It was then that he told her – he had plans for her, plans that involved her getting into the imperial harem. 'You deserve the best of the very best, and that place lies in the palace itself, by the Emperor's side,' he had told her.
Orihime was not sure what it was she truly desired in life, but she was an obedient daughter and sister and would do what Sora had asked her to do. So she entered the palace as an imperial consort.
Despite all the compliments, Orihime did not grow up as vain as she expected herself to be. She knew there were many women of beauty, she was only but one of them. And it was an eye-opener once she had entered the harem – there were so many beautiful women here, and all vying for one man.
And now, that one man had just passed her by, his eyes not even settling for a second upon her face. In the past, men had always doubled back for a second look whenever they looked at her, though Orihime was neither proud nor gleeful about it.
But this here… this was different. His Majesty was different. Orihime may be soft spoken and graceful, but she liked challenges whenever they were present. And this right here was it.
The young consort pasted a cheery smile on her lips. "Let us go now. We have to hurry back to our palace for the sakura-viewing night!"
xXxXx
"Someone is here in the gardens, Your Majesty." Senbonzakura stepped out in front of the Emperor warily. The guard felt a slight blow to his pride, there had not been any trespassing in any of the palace grounds - not since he had become leader of the royal guard.
"There will be no need." The Emperor's words halted his actions, as Senbonzakura's fingers had hovered just slightly above the hilt of his sword. "She is only a consort."
Senbonzakura bowed at the command and let his hand fall to his side, but did not relax his stance. This consort was clearly trespassing, these were the private imperial gardens – no one was allowed save for the Emperor himself. Either there were sinister intentions involved... or she was an extremely foolish woman.
"Fall back." Emperor Byakuya's voice was firm. As if he had sensed Senbonzakura's hesitance, the young Emperor added. "I know this consort."
This remark surprised Senbonzakura. Emperor Byakuya was not one known to spend time with women – but as this thought passed the secret guard's mind, he knew that was not entirely true. Emperor Byakuya had summoned women to his bed in the past – but that had been years ago before he had apparently gotten fed up with the routine and did away with it. But to say that Emperor Byakuya did not spend time with women recently, that wasn't entirely true either.
Several instances immediately jumped into Senbonzakura's mind, mostly observed from his hiding place far above in the trees.
Emperor Byakuya sitting at a stone table, a woman sitting opposite him as she chattered away noisily.
Emperor Byakuya reaching up to retrieve sakura flowers from a tree branch, the woman's height had obviously prevented her from doing so.
Emperor Byakuya falling back into the mud, a woman on top of him.
These were all the same woman, and they had all started since she had appeared in the West gardens. Senbonzakura had observed their interactions from afar, never too near to be visible but never too far for His Majesty's safety. The woman was extremely clumsy, she did not hold herself with as much grace as women in the place and she did not appear to be aware of Emperor Byakuya's identity. Senbonzakura had taken care not to intrude upon His Majesty's privacy so he had remained far enough not to catch their conversations, but he was certain the consort was clueless that she was in the company of the most powerful man in Seireitei. She did not kneel, she sometimes spoke too loud for proper mannerisms, and she had dirtied his robes on one occasion.
That occasion, Senbonzakura recalled, was shocking and – a secret deep part of himself that would never admit it aloud - amusing. Emperor Byakuya held himself with the ultimate image of an Emperor – cool, emotionless, flawless. To see him lying splattered in the muddy ground that day, Senbonzakura was torn between going to Emperor Byakuya's assistance or letting him salvage his pride on his own. He had chosen the latter, and watched as the young Emperor got up from the ground with an icy glare that could have frozen anything within the vicinity. Emperor Byakuya had never spoken of this encounter aloud.
And as the Emperor acknowledged the identity of the trespasser, Senbonzakura realized that it was indeed the very same woman that had kept the Emperor's company in the gardens. At least, she did not mean the Emperor any harm. Senbonzakura relaxed his stance and retreated into the shadows.
He watched as the Emperor walked into the sakura gardens toward the young consort.
xXxXx
Rukia was thoroughly enjoying herself. She had slipped into the gardens earlier that night, narrowly avoiding a pair of guards who patrolled the area. She had crouched low in the bushes at the outer perimeter of the wall, and timed their movements within the hour. Once they had cleared her place of hiding and moved away, the young consort had easily scaled the wall and landed directly in the imperial sakura gardens. She had felt a twinge of guilt as she thought about Shinji and the rest, and Madam Kukaku as well. She had not told Shinji or the others about her bold plan but if she was caught, she would be letting all of them down or even getting them into trouble.
But Rukia knew getting caught was not an option. She was Rukia, and it wasn't easy to catch Rukia. She just had to be very careful and return to her palace once she was satisfied. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and she would not pass it up.
And the Emperor's private sakura gardens certainly did not disappoint, as she landed on her knees in the grass and looked up. The gardens stretched on as far as the eye could see, with huge sakura trees growing in neat rows along the perimeter. There was a very beautiful lake housing large koi in the middle of the garden, which then wound a long way through the trees. But the sakura… were the most beautiful. The petals fell slowly in beautiful pink drizzles to the grass below, there was barely any wind to disrupt their dazzling descent to the ground.
Rukia had stood and gaped happily at the sakura for a long time. She had heard stories about the Emperor and of how cold a person he was, despite being a good Emperor. It did not make sense, how could a person be so cold when he was surrounded by such beauty right outside his door?
Rukia had then kicked off her shoes and dashed happily out toward the trees, so she was surrounded by falling sakura. The grass felt soft, and the young consort breathed in the scent of the blossoms. She had brought her white silk dance ribbons out with her, and she wasted no time unfurling it.
Wonder if the General would come tonight?
Rukia shook her head at the sudden thought, and chuckled slightly as she pictured his handsome but stoic features etched in disapproval. Surely he would not come to the gardens, his obsession with the palace rules would prevent him from doing so. She had encountered him a few times and even though he was nothing but rude and obnoxious, Rukia decided he was oddly kind during rare instances such as when he had saved her from plunging into the palace lake.
But it did not matter now, she was here to appreciate the beauty of the garden… and nothing was going to stop her doing so, General or no General.
Rukia closed her eyes and once again, let her senses take over her body. Her feet took a step forward, then two, and then three. A smile was soon upon the young consort's lips as she started to dance under the sakura trees, their intoxicating scent whirling around her.
She lost count of time, she lost her surroundings… and immersed herself in her imaginary world of dance. The fallen petals were soft under her feet, and she let the twin white ribbons in both hands swirl around her body. Her rhythm remained unbroken as she moved easily, her arms high above her head and smoothing out in graceful arcs.
So intoxicated in her dance was the young consort, she soon failed to notice the one witness to her performance.
xXxXx
He stepped forward, the sight was almost unbelieving for his eyes.
There was a woman dancing in his gardens… barefooted. Her expression was happy and carefree, almost as if she wanted nothing else in the world but to dance underneath the falling sakura. She had brought two long ribbons with her, they were white and arced gracefully around her body as she twirled it carelessly in her hand.
He had recognized her from afar, it was she who had offended him unknowingly and invited him to come along to this location tonight, not knowing who he really was. Byakuya had found himself thinking once about this after their last encounter, but the thoughts had completely been dismissed when he was overwhelmed by state affairs and work. Now, he wondered if that thought had somehow lurked in his subconscious and if that was the ludicrous reason his steps had taken him here tonight. Or if he wanted to see for himself if the foolish woman would keep to her word and break into his gardens. Or if he just wanted to put his foot down and punish her. Either way, he decided he would rather not know the reason.
She had left her face unpowdered and dealt away with the numerous hair ornaments, wearing only a plain white robe with little embroidery. Her hair was loosely held up by a pin or two at the back of her head as she danced easily underneath the floating petals of sakura, her fair bare feet grazing the smooth grass. Each movement of hers flowed smoothly, as she danced to music only she and the sakura could hear.
Only a madman would dare dress this carelessly in the palace, much less in the Emperor's private gardens.
It was probably due to this madness that for the first time in his life, Byakuya found his attention captured by something other than cherry blossoms in his gardens tonight.
xXxXx
Rukia finished her dance promptly in a bow below the sakura trees, and felt herself grin as she finished her performance. Shinji would be so proud, but he would probably kill her first. Rukia chuckled at the thought and looked up – finally catching sight of the lone figure standing in front of her.
"Arghh!" Rukia jumped back in shock, her violet eyes wide. What was with the people in this palace, always popping out of nowhere? But as her eyes slowly registered his familiar face, Rukia felt herself begin to smile. "It's you!" The young consort walked over to the General standing nearby.
How long had he been here?
"You are missing shoes." His greeting was cold and in the blunt form of a reprimand. As always.
"Oh." Rukia nodded, and she reflexively wiggled her toes in the grass. Byakuya frowned at her careless conduct. "It is really nice, though. I took them off so I could feel the grass. You should try it too!"
"That is... improper."
Rukia shrugged her shoulders, ignoring the obnoxious comment from the General and turned back to the vast garden. "As you wish. But you came tonight, which means you wanted to see the sakura too!" She grinned at the General. "How did you get past the guards though?" The young consort lowered her voice curiously.
"The back gates." Byakuya answered curtly.
"There is a back gate?" Rukia's voice was filled with surprise. "I did not know that!"
Of course she would not know, the back gate led straight to his chambers.
"I actually scaled a wall to come into the gardens. I waited behind the wall and timed the rounds of the guards. They take an hour to reach that side of the perimeter so it gave me more than enough time to climb down the wall and run for the trees. The guards never patrol the center of the gardens." Rukia smiled proudly.
Byakuya kept silent, mildly surprised that the young woman could climb over a wall without sustaining any tears to her full skirt. Again, so unlike of a palace consort.
He tilted his head upward to observe the sakura trees.
Rukia smiled at him, but then she snapped her fingers as she remembered. "Oh, I almost forgot!" As Byakuya turned toward her, the consort started to feel clumsily into her robe sleeves. Averting his eyes from the unsightly act, Byakuya returned his gaze to the sakura once again as the consort felt around in her clothes for whatever it is she wanted to find.
Finally, he heard her give a triumphant chuckle. "Got it!" Byakuya turned to her just in time to see her thrust her hand at him, the palm facing upward. "I made it for you!"
Byakuya's gaze settled upon the amulet-sized wood block, on which a beautiful dried sakura had been imprinted on the surface.
Rukia smiled excitedly. "Aside from gardening, I have been learning woodblock painting and carving from Shinji. That one day, I obtained a sakura flower and wrapped it in gossamer silk. Later me and Hiyori, that is one other friend in my palace, we pressed a hot iron to it to melt the silk to the flower, so it would preserve the flower and it even looks more beautiful! We put some animal fat on the wood block and ironed the flower on it so it would hold."
"Why are you giving it to me?" He did not move to take the wood block, but Rukia kept her hand outstretched.
"Oh." Rukia wondered if this young General ever felt that a simple Arigato was sufficient gesture when accepting gifts. She squared her shoulders. "Actually, I wanted to properly apologize to you for dirtying your clothes that day in the garden. It was clumsy of me and if it were not for you, I would have dropped into the lake. This is merely a token of apology, do take it. I thought you might be here today so I brought it along with me."
When he still did not take the wood block, Rukia sighed. "I did not poison it. Hurry, my hand is getting tired."
The young General finally moved to retrieve the wood block and Rukia smiled. "I will try to make you a carved wood sword tassel once I have improved my skills. You seem to like sakura."
The young General did not reply and Rukia perceived it as silent acquiescence. "It is a shame though, that the Emperor does not appear to appreciate the sakura."
"What makes you think he does not?"
Rukia cocked her head to one side. "I have not caught sight of the Emperor once since I entered the gardens." She continued to gaze upward. "Maybe he has gotten too used to everything, that such beauty that may captivate plain people such as myself no longer interest him. He must not be used to simple things."
Her words caught him by surprise, and Byakuya found himself turning to the young consort. Her eyes were filled with childlike happiness as they gazed out at the sakura garden. Byakuya found himself comparing the emotions to that of his when he was a young boy – and he found that the memory was very faint.
"Maybe." Byakuya found himself replying.
His tone was devoid of emotion, but the young consort seemed to have detected something as she turned to look at him with a curious expression. Byakuya himself was unsure of whatever it was she had heard.
Tonight was odd, he was usually not that receptive to questions by outsiders. The young Emperor decided to retire for the night, as he turned away.
"Oh, you are leaving already?" There was a slight dejected tone in the consort's question, but then she quickly brightened. "You must have had a tiring day. I think I will stay here a little longer to look at the garden, and then I am leaving too." She smiled happily. "Good night…" She peered curiously at him. "I still do not know your name."
The young General observed her silently, and Rukia wondered if he was caught between actually telling her his name or forming yet another obnoxious remark. But before both of them could say anything else, a loud shout broke through the peaceful night air.
"WHO GOES THERE?"
Rukia's eyes widened in shock. They were caught!
xXxXx
She could hear it now, the menacing footsteps marching forward in a synchronized run. Rukia turned to face the young General, who was looking almost unfazed at the dangerous situation.
"You must go!" Rukia pushed at him, her eyes wide. "If you get caught, you will be punished! I will hold them off!"
The young General stood there nonetheless, hardly moving as she anxiously pushed at him. "And what will become of you?"
His quiet question surprised Rukia. Why was he so calm and cool, did he not understand the urgency of the moment? They were about to get caught by the guards, trespassing in the Emperor's private gardens!
"Nothing!" Rukia shook her head hurriedly. "Nothing will happen to me! I am the Emperor's consort, remember? They can't punish me." The young woman flashed him a quick smile. "I will be fine. Please go!"
The General contemplated her silently for a few seconds, while Rukia felt the panic threatening to overwhelm her. And then he finally turned and walked off in the opposite direction.
Rukia whirled around, warily checking her surroundings. The guards were definitely running over, she could hear the footsteps but they had not appeared around the bushes at the corner. The General would be safe, the guards would never know that there were two intruders in the garden.
"HALT RIGHT THERE!" The first of the angry voices cut through the previously peaceful night air. There was no time for her to hide, and Rukia was not stupid enough to attempt to outrun a group of palace guards anyway. The young consort slowly turned around, facing the entire group of hostile men now running toward her.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "I am Consort Rukia, of the Palace of the Eastern Snow. I was-"
Rukia's words were abruptly slammed out of her as rough hands pushed her to the ground and yanked her arms behind her, twisting them at an angle that made her cry out in pain. She was pushed to a kneeling position on the ground, her hands kept behind her.
"WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU DOING?" Rukia struggled furiously, trying to get up but the guard behind her kept her arms pinned down. The young consort looked up as an eunuch drew nearer to them, shuffling his steps like an old lady.
Rukia immediately recognized him as the Head Eunuch Kou. The young consort inhaled. "Head Eunuch Kou, I am Consort Rukia, of the Palace of the Eastern-"
Rukia's words were cut off a second time as a hard slap abruptly landed upon her left cheek, stinging her skin. Rukia immediately reeled back, her eyes wide with shock and pain.
"You foolish consort!" The head eunuch was glaring at her icily as she knelt on the ground. She met his eyes with anger.
"How could all of you stupid people manhandle me without even listening to my explanation!?"
A vein clearly throbbed in the eunuch's temple as he glared down at her. "Lady Rukia, I had previously believed you to be intelligent, as you have proved able to tolerate your days in the Palace of the Eastern Snow and the one Hirako Shinji. What I am unable to comprehend now is how YOU can be so foolish to even attempt to walk in His Majesty's private gardens! It is a crime paid with the price of one's life!"
"I do not believe so," Rukia retorted. "According to the palace records, the last Crown Prince Sojun amended the laws of trespassing to a lighter penalty of house arrest of a month for such crimes. The Prince did not believe in barbaric punishments for trivial crimes, a trait the current Emperor Byakuya clearly and similarly believes in."
Her words took the head eunuch aback, and he gaped at her like an ugly fish. Rukia stuck her chin out. She had been reading the imperial records, Shinji had made sure of that... and she had paid particular attention to this aspect.
"H-How dare you!" Head Eunuch Kou pointed a threatening finger at Rukia but she did not flinch.
"Therefore, you do not have permission to threaten me with death, unless the Emperor himself declares the punishment as such."
"And you would expect me to disturb the Emperor just to take your head off? You are bold, Lady Rukia... but your boldness is certainly not in the right place." She had definitely infuriated the head eunuch, but Rukia decided she would not have it any other way. Not since she had been pushed to ground without been given the opportunity to defend herself, and not since she had been threatened with death as punishment.
Head Eunuch Kou angrily jerked his head at one of the guards and said guard stepped forward, bearing a large steel box.
In spite of herself, Rukia felt the air chill around her. "W-What is that?"
The head eunuch smiled, a smile that seemed worthy of a demon. "That? That is what we eunuchs bring with us, in case of a consort that talks out of line." He opened the chest and slowly but surely began to pull out a thick white whip.
"You… can't…" Rukia's body filled with dread as she watched the eunuch crack the whip in the air menacingly. The whip made a treacherous sound as it sliced through the air, it seemed as if it was sharp enough to even cut wounds through wind.
"This, cannot… you are not allowed to do this!" Rukia cried out in angry desperation. "This is against the rules of the palace!"
"My dear Lady Rukia, it is time you learned." Head Eunuch Kou's voice was low. "I am the rule of the palace. Perhaps a scar or two upon the cheek will teach you properly." He wielded the whip as he drew closer.
Rukia struggled fiercely, but the guards only pushed her further down on her knees. The eunuch was going to strike her until she bled, the evil expression on his bloated face was enough indication. But Rukia was not going to give him the satisfaction and bow her head to such a person.
"Oh? Not hiding your precious face, are you?" Head Eunuch Kou released the whip with another frightening crack in the air. "How will you hope to get the Emperor's attention then, once we are done with you?"
He poised the whip in the air, but Rukia kept her violet eyes straight ahead and unblinking even as her heart thundered in her chest.
"Lady Rukia, receive your… PUNISHMENT!" The eunuch screeched as he brought his hand down.
Her eyes were open, and so she saw the blur of white as the whip swung toward her body. Rukia braced herself, but her eyes involuntarily closed as she felt the sting of wind.
The whip found its target with a sickening crack… but there was no pain upon her face nor body.
"Nothing will happen to you?"
Rukia's eyes flew open as she heard the deep voice.
"Only a fool utters such careless words in the palace."
Rukia looked up at the person who had stopped the blow from reaching her, the now harmless whip wrapped firmly around his wrist. She gasped.
The young General stared down at her, his grey eyes cold like frosted steel.
xXxXx
"YOUR MAJESTY!" The eunuchs and guards hurriedly dropped to their knees, their heads bowed low. Head Eunuch Kou let out a strangled yell and fell to his knees, his forehead against the grass. "Y-Your Majesty!"
Rukia gasped in horror. Your Majesty? The Emperor?
Where?
She felt her heart catch in her chest, surely this was all a terrible nightmare! As if things could not get any worse, the Emperor himself was now here! She had been caught trespassing in his private gardens! And what about the General? He had come back to save her, surely he would also be implicated in this case! What about Shinji and the rest, would they be punished by association to her? As these thoughts swirled around in her head, Rukia closed her eyes, hoping against hope that the ground could somehow open up and swallow her whole.
"Lower your weapons." The General's voice was cold.
Rukia was shocked at his audacity. How dare he command the palace officials in front of the Emperor, how could he-
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Rukia's eyes widened as the guards quickly bowed and willingly took a step back, their weapons now facing the ground. Your Majesty?
Your Majesty?
The horror of the truth hit her like an enormous horse carriage, turning the blood to ice cold water in her veins.
Your Majesty.
Her breaths were coming too fast now, Rukia was pretty sure she was starting to gasp for air. Her vision flashed completely white in front of her eyes for a heartstopping second.
He is the Emperor.
He is the Emperor!
The man she had met in the gardens, whom she had mistaken for an obnoxious, strict General… was the Emperor! The man she had willfully admonished and whom she had shared with much dissatisfaction regarding the palace rules… was the Emperor!
And I told him I was going to break into his gardens!
Rukia bowed her head so low as she remained kneeling on the ground, her forehead touching the soft grass. Surely he would kill her for her inappropriate behaviour!
"I did not realize that eunuchs were in a position to punish the consorts now." The Emperor's voice was emotionless, but the statement was enough to throw the eunuchs into a panic. The head eunuch hurriedly knelt by his feet.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty! I-I was merely f-following the palace protocols! These are your private gardens a-and she-," Rukia silently flinched at the mention. "- she was trespassing!"
"And if I said that she was here at my behest?" The Emperor's voice was cold.
Rukia felt her breath hitch in her throat.
The eunuch gasped and hurriedly bowed again. "F-forgive me, Your Majesty! I-I had no intentions t-to-"
"In future, you will find that it would be wise to first report any case concerning the consorts to Lady Unohana, upon which she will address the matter as needed. Physical punishment upon the palace consorts can only be carried out by selected officials, a duty whereby eunuchs are not burdened with." Rukia could not see the Emperor as he stood behind her, but the coldness in his voice was enough for her not to turn around. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Rukia let out the breath she had been holding, silently praying that the Emperor would forget that she was kneeling behind him. It was late at night, surely he was tired and needed rest after all the fiasco.
All was silent for a while and she thought the group had retreated. But then a pair of feet appeared to her right, before easily striding across the grass to stand right before her eyes. Rukia stared at the gold-lined shoes, trying not to die from shame and fear.
"Lift your head." The Emperor's voice was deep, authoritative.
Rukia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was it, this really was it this time. He was going to sentence her to death and be done with it. If only she had been more careful… if only she had kept her words to herself, as Shinji had always advised her to. And what about her friends? Would they be implicated too...
Rukia slowly lifted her chin upward.
Bright violet met slate grey.
The Emperor fixed his emotionless gaze down on her, before finally speaking in his emotionless voice. "I believe I did not introduce myself properly when we first met."
Rukia felt as if the air was being sucked out of her very lungs as she looked up at the man before her. The most powerful man in the country, the one who could command armed vessels in combat at sea, and thousands upon thousands of brave soldiers.
"My name is Kuchiki Byakuya."
Now would be a really good time to die.
Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya. How could she have been so foolish and careless?
Rukia held the Emperor's gaze, afraid to look away unless commanded to, lest he found it rude. She knew she was already trembling.
"And I am afraid I do not have very green eyes." His deep voice was emotionless.
Rukia felt the heat rush to her cheeks. She had said some very stupid things to him… and he appeared to remember them!
Unable to take it any longer, Rukia broke their gaze and hung her head back down. Emperor Byakuya did not say anything further. He turned and addressed two of the guards standing at the front.
"Escort Consort Rukia back to her chambers." Byakuya ordered to the guards, and they bowed in acknowledgement.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
xXxXx
"Lady Rukia, you are trembling! Please, have some more hot tea!" Hinamori's eyes were filled with concern as she watched her friend sitting at the table.
"She is not trembling out of cold, Momo. But drink up, the heat will be good." Shinji nodded.
The guards had escorted Rukia safely back to her palace as ordered by the Emperor. She was immediately taken into the palace by her worried friends as soon as she had arrived. As they made her hot tea and bundled her up in thick cloths, the entire story had spilled from her lips alongside the sincere apologies.
"There is nothing to apologize for. If the time comes for us to be dead, we will be dead." Shinji waved his hand, as Hiyori nodded. "And you sure are a rebellious one. But next time…" Shinji's expression was serious. "… do let us know. The palace is a dangerous place."
Hinamori nodded worriedly as she poured more hot tea into Rukia's cup.
"And one more thing…" Shinji leaned forward.
"OUCH!" Rukia shouted as he pinched her right cheek hard. Hinamori cried out and pulled on Shinji's sleeves to get him to stop.
"Shinji, what are you doing? Stop, you are hurting Lady Rukia!"
After a good three minutes, Shinji released his hand. Rukia rubbed her cheek, glaring at her friend. "What was that for?"
"How… is it… possible… that… you… do… not… know…what… the… Emperor… looks… like?" Shinji punctuated every word with a deadly tone.
Rukia cringed in embarrassment. "I had only heard accounts of his features from the other consorts, and one of them told me that the Emperor has green eyes. So when I met him, I naturally did not realize that he was the Emperor." Rukia put her head into her hands. "And I let slip many foolish things to him."
Shinji slapped a hand to his forehead in frustration. Hiyori laughed out loud, Hinamori looked aghast.
Before any of them could remark further, hurried footsteps could be heard along the walkway to the palace compound. Shinji warily stepped out front, followed by the rest of the women.
"My Lady!"
Rukia reflexively drew back as she realized that the person now shuffling up the palace walkway was Head Eunuch Kou. Hiyori immediately stepped in front of Rukia, and Hinamori held her left arm in support.
"My Lad- arrgghh!"
Shinji was the first to move, and he backhanded the neck of the head eunuch, causing him to fall back.
"Shinji!" Rukia cried out in disbelief. Was he trying to be a chivalrous hero now, attacking the Head Eunuch of all people? In front of her, Hiyori smiled smugly at her friend.
"Rest assured, my Lady," Shinji replied and kicked the fat eunuch once in the side. "The standard palace rules do not apply to me." He moved forward and stepped lightly on the pot belly of Head Eunuch Kou, glaring down at him. "Do you not know which palace Lady Rukia belongs to? She belongs to my palace – and you know what happens when people mess around with me."
"T-That is exactly why I have-"
Shinji reached out and roughly yanked the head eunuch by the collar forward. Rukia and Hinamori gasped together. Hiyori only chuckled. "If I had not declined the position years ago, did you think your fat ass would be sitting on it now?"
Rukia's eyes widened in surprise. Shinji was previously offered the title of Head Eunuch? And he had refused it?
"G-Give me a chance!" Head Eunuch Kou lifted up his hands in surrender, before Shinji could resume his assault. "I-I am here to beg for Lady Rukia's forgiveness." He proceeded to turn to Rukia, but Hiyori stood firmly to shield her consort. "Lady Rukia, I offer you my heartfelt sincere apologies for my absolute rudeness and foolishness in handling the situation in the garden tonight. I was stupid, I was reckless, I must have been out of my mind to even try to harm you! Please! Forgive me!" He threw himself forward on his knees and bowed, his head knocking upon the stone steps.
"Stop!" Rukia shouted before the head eunuch could bow again. She did not like the head eunuch, but his forehead was already sporting a fresh abrasion. "That is it. You may leave… I accept your apology."
"May the high and mighty heavens bless your kindness and magnanimity, Lady Rukia! Thank you, thank you!" Head Eunuch Kou threw himself forward again, but Shinji had pushed him up to his feet.
"My Lady said you may leave. She has had a rough night, due in part of your involvement. She needs rest."
"Of course, of course!" Head Eunuch Kou bowed again to an uncomfortable Rukia and hastily retreated, shuffling out of the palace compound.
"What was with his reverted attitude?" Rukia wondered as they walked back into the palace. "He was truly ready to skin me when he caught me in the gardens."
"Maybe you have piqued Emperor Byakuya's interest quite a bit." Shinji grinned evilly at the surprised Rukia.
"I do not believe so!" Rukia's eyes were wide. "I even told him before that I thought his palace rules were stupid!"
Her friends cringed at her statement but Shinji tapped his chin. "But that is something no one has told him before. And seeing that your head is still attached to your body, he might not have taken so much offence, after all. In fact, he might instead be curious."
"You are unbelievable." Rukia shook her head.
"And you are not used to the real world just yet." Shinji smiled. "That Head Eunuch Kou is a sneaky devious old cod. He would not have gone out of his way to come here and personally apologize to you, if he did not believe you had a decent chance at winning the Emperor's favour. That is how the palace officials move up the ranks, by currying the favour of those they deem as future favourites of His Majesty."
"I would prefer to stay out of His Majesty's sight for as long as I live. And I believe His Majesty would prefer it himself."
Shinji smiled as Rukia slowly retired into her bedroom. "Worry not, Lady Rukia. What will happen… will happen."
xXxXx
Rukia tossed slightly in her bed, and slowly got up in the darkness of her bedroom. It was dark out, and surely very late in the night. Rukia wrapped the blankets tighter around herself as she got out of bed and walked to the shoji window before slowly sliding it open. The young consort stared out the open window, where the white round moon shone its soft light in the dark sky.
She could barely sleep, her heart was still pounding hard from the encounter tonight, and it seemed even the peaceful quiet of the night could not calm her restlessness.
I believe I did not introduce myself properly when we first met.
My name is Kuchiki Byakuya.
The man was the epitome of Death itself, a single word from those cold straight lips could have ended her life right there in the sakura gardens. How could she have been so careless, and spoken so recklessly to a stranger whose identity she had presumed?
Rukia prayed to the Gods that the Emperor would remember little of this fiasco by the next sunrise. She, on her part, will do her best to avoid him for the rest of her life – and never step foot in the West gardens ever again.
Feeling slightly reassured by her thoughts, Rukia moved back to her bed. She should get some rest, it had been a terrifying night. But before she could reach her comfortable pillows, a sudden thought froze her in her steps.
I gave him a sakura wood block as a gift.
It was supposed to be nothing more than a sincere token of apology to someone she had deemed as a friend. It stood out as something so foolish, now that she had learned of his true identity.
Rukia sighed miserably as she tucked herself back into bed. It was going to be one long night.
xXxXx
I hope you enjoyed this little Christmas update, I had fun writing it. I always thought it was a shame that I felt this story hanging off without Byakuya and Rukia meeting each other properly. So now here it is. And every time I get back to fanfiction writing, I feel that my style changes each time. XD
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter - so if you could spare the time to leave me some feedback/thoughts/opinions/whatever, I would really appreciate it very much. Thank you :)
evenstar
