A/N I don't own Bleach nor do I make any profit from it.
Chapter 7 – The new Lady
As expected, Isane came over that night. She rushed to my side, worry shining in her eyes.
"Lady Sara, are you all right," She asked. I nodded. A servant was standing next to my bed and I looked up at her.
"You may leave now," I said politely. She nodded silently and walked out, closing the door behind her. I turned back to Isane.
"Captain Kuchiki told me that you that you were unwell," She said, grasping my hand. I smirked slightly.
"There's nothing wrong with me, Isane," I replied, "I had to think of something to get out of the tour he was giving me."
She gave me a puzzled look, "You mean…you feigned illness to get out of his tour? But…why…?"
"The thing was…he was going to take me to Squad 13."
"What's wrong with Squad 13?"
"Well…the night that I was sent to Soul Society…I was sent by Captain Ukitake…if I met with him…he'd know that I wasn't a noble and it would blow my cover!"
Isane bit her lip and sighed softly, "I could always ask Captain Unohana to talk to him. Captain Ukitake is a very kind and understanding man. I doubt he'd purposely blow your cover."
"Would you do that," I asked, relief easing me. Isane smiled, "I'm so glad."
Isane stood up, "I'll say, that you should be fine with a good night's rest."
I nodded and lay back down on my bed. Isane walked back over to the door and slid it open, closing it behind her as she stepped out.
3rd person
Isane stepped outside and saw Byakuya leaning on the wall outside of Sara's room, "How is she," He asked. I feigned a smile.
"She will be fine. A good night's sleep will do her the world of good," Isane replied. Byakuya nodded.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Kotetsu. You may go now," Byakuya said, turning to leave for his own room. Isane nodded.
"Yes, Captain Kuchiki," Isane said before making her way back to the Squad 4 barracks.
Sara's POV
Now, it had been a few months since that night. Lord Byakuya was as distant as he could ever be and Rukia was steadily gaining confidence with her learning. I had grown quite comfortable at the Kuchiki mansion, but I felt lonely to some degree. Although Lord Byakuya was my employer, I wished that he'd talk to me. I felt isolated. I'm not sure whether he had forgiven me or not for my comment about his upbringing and personality. However, on warm nights, we'd take little walks and discuss Rukia's progress. As much as I wanted to talk about that, I wanted to make small talk about trivial things such as interests and how the day was. But when he did talk to me, I treasured every moment because, for some strange reason, I was warming to him as a person.
Also, I'd heard nothing from Captain Ukitake. Had Captain Unohana told him to keep quiet about this? If so, he was doing a good job. I'd heard that he was a decent man and hoped that he would have mercy upon me and my secret.
One fine morning, I walked into the dining room with a wide smile on my face. Rukia greeted me with a hug, "Good morning to you too, Rukia," I hugged her back. I looked around and noticed the absence of my lord and master.
"Where is Lord Byakuya," I asked. Rukia giggled but then huffed slightly.
"There's a special guest coming today," Rukia whispered as if it was a secret.
"Who's coming?"
"Her name is Lady Sumi Shihoin, cousin of the 22nd head, Lady Yoruichi Shihoin," Rukia said. My eyes widened.
"Why is she coming," I asked. Rukia giggled.
"Apparently, Lady Sumi is a potential bride for Lord Byakuya! She is very fashionable," She said dreamily. I frowned and something with in me stared. He was going to marry? Then…that would mean that I wouldn't be needed and I would be sent away. That worried me because I had no home to go to.
"Well, let's get you ready for this visit," I held her hand and took her to get ready for this dreaded visit. As we walked, Emiko ran the hallway towards us, "Lady Sara, you are being sent for by the master! He's in his reception room," she exclaimed breathlessly, "I'll get Lady Rukia ready!"
She dragged Rukia away, leaving me in the hallway. I sighed softly before making my towards Lord Byakuya's room. I knelt at the door and slid it open before I entered the room. Lord Byakuya turned to me. He was wearing his full soul reaper uniform.
"You sent for me, my lord," I said politely. He sighed, albeit a little sadly, "What is wrong, my lord, are you not happy?"
"Quite the contrary, Lady Sara, I am very happy," He replied, "I am…just…somewhat nervous about this visit. It's been a long time since I have dealt with a woman in such a way."
For him to admit he was nervous must have taken a lot of courage, "It's all right to be nervous, Lord Byakuya; there's no shame in it," I assured him. He scoffed a little.
"There will be a flower viewing reception in Lady Sumi's honour. I want you to accompany me when I meet her," Lord Byakuya said blandly. My eyes widened.
"Why?"
"You are someone I can rely on to uphold the dignity of the Kuchiki household, Lady Sara, and I would like to introduce you to Lady Sumi as the governess in my court," Byakuya said adjusting his scarf. I nodded.
"It would be an honour, Lord Byakuya," I said politely. I felt tense. The horrible feeling when I was alone with him was building up in me again. I just wanted a servant to come in and break that tension. I turned my head and saw the preparations for the flower viewing party in Lady Sumi's honour. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the sun was beating down upon the servants who were fervently working to make this day a success. I doubted that a lady like Lady Sumi would want to be out there without a parasol. But who am I to talk? I burn even if I'm out in a quarter of an hour of sun because I'm so pale.
I excused myself and walked to my bedroom to dig out my parasol. A passing servant saw me trying to search for one, "Lady Sara, are you all right," she asked politely albeit timidly. I turned to her.
"Eh…yes…I just wanted to find a parasol," I said, "Do you know where I could find one?"
"Yes, my lady," she said, "I shall go and find you one."
I nodded and she scurried away to find me a parasol. She was a rather small, weedy looking girl with a delicate appearance and obviously very nervous. She had light blond hair with huge brown eyes. They almost looked disproportionate to her thin face.
I knelt down at the table and rested my delicate chin on the palm of my hand as I patiently waited. I listened to the bird song outside my room. The doors to the outside were open and I could clearly see the vibrant green lawn leading out to the main garden. Apparently, the Kuchiki grounds were so vast and huge that Yachiru Kusajishi (the girl who had helped save me from the Rukongai) liked to play and hide her toys in the unused rooms with in the mansion. Yachiru had told me that while I was in hospital. I was yet to find anything, but I was told to let her know when I found them. She was going to be there at the party that day because she was a high ranking officer with in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
Ten minutes later, the little maid had scurried back into the room. She knelt before me and handed me the parasol. I graciously took it and examined the beautiful object. It was a light blue with a pretty cherry blossom design. I gazed into my mirror as I opened up and held it over my head elegantly.
"You look beautiful, my lady," the servant said with a wistful sigh. I turned to her and gave her a smile.
"Thank you," I said with a smile to put the young girl at ease. She couldn't be much younger than me, but then again, you look my age and could be two hundred or something of the like i.e. Lord Byakuya, "Eh…I haven't caught you name," I asked, ashamed that I hadn't even learned her name.
She gave me a pretty smile that brightened up her features, "My name is Tsukasa," she said cheerfully. I nodded.
"It's a pretty name," I replied. She nodded and stood up.
"Is there anything else you need," Tsukasa asked. I shook my head.
"No, there is nothing. I had better let you get on with whatever you were doing."
She nodded, bowed and walked out. I turned back to the mirror and admired my reflection for a little while longer. The parasol went with my light blue yukata. It was by far my favourite. It made me look pure and delicate. My hair was in loose ringlets and I had a blue rose clip to bring out the whiteness in my hair.
As soon as I was finished with that, I made my way outside to the garden. I took the time to admire the flowers while I walked. However, as I strolled along the path that led further out, I noticed the gardener, Keiichi. He looked beautiful as he tended to the flowers. I walked over to him.
"Having a nice day," I asked politely. Keiichi looked up at me and gave me a smile that was likened to the sun.
"Yes, my lady," he said politely, "I'm just preparing the garden for the flower viewing party and Lady Shihoin's visit."
"I see…" I said quietly, "Do know why she's coming?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, "I haven't got a clue. Although, the master has been without a wife for the longest time and some of the servants are speculating that there might be a marriage any time soon between these two. But who knows? Nothing's been made official," Keichi placed his trowel down and looked up, "Ah, it looks like she has arrived."
I turned my head away and to my surprise, there was a huge entourage of servants walking towards the mansion. At the front of the entourage, there was a beautiful young woman. She had long, waist length, chocolate coloured hair. Her skin was the colours of peaches and cream, giving her an air of being quite exotic. Her kimono was magnificent and made of a shimmering gold. The haori around her shoulders was made out of fine white material. Her hair had traditional Japanese hair ornaments adorning her silky brown hair.
"She's a favourite of the master," Keiichi commented, "She often visits his estate, but I heard she's been ill as of late."
"I see," I whispered. She was the image of a queen. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, "I had better get going, Keiichi, I have to accompany Lord Byakuya and I'm going to be properly introduced at court."
"Good luck," he said, "Because, you'll need it."
I frowned as he walked away. What did he mean by that? Was court really that bad? Was it really that full of intrigue and gossip as I'd heard about? I sighed softly. This was worrying. As I walked back to the mansion, I was greeted by Rukia. Rukia looked beautiful. She wore a purple kimono with a water lily pattern.
"Lady Sara, I'm so excited to meet Lady Sumi," she said excitedly, "Are you?"
I nodded slowly, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
She giggled and grabbed hold of my hand. We walked towards Lord Byakuya who was waiting for us at the end of the hall way, "You both look acceptable," Lord Byakuya said. That was as far as Lord Byakuya went when it came to complements. No frills. Rukia looked fairly disappointed not to get such a bare complement. I pursed my lips and turned to the girl.
"Rukia, you look beautiful," I said. Rukia's face lit up. I could tell that I was rubbing Lord Byakuya up the wrong way.
"Thank you, Lady Sara, so do you…you always look lovely," she said, her violet-blue eyes sparkling. I smiled and squeezed her hand.
Lord Byakuya cleared his throat, "Shall we get going," he said abruptly. I nodded and walked Rukia towards where all the high ranking officers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were standing. This included captains, lieutenants and a few other seated officers. As we walked over the bridge and across the stream, Lady Sumi approached us. She looked even lovelier close up.
"Lord Byakuya, it's so good to see you again," her voice was like music. She was a lady, in every sense of the word. She also had an overwhelming spiritual pressure.
Lord Byakuya stepped forward, "It's good to see you too," he said stiffly. Lady Sumi gave him a warm smile before shifting her gaze onto me.
"Who's that pretty little thing…?" She said with an edge to her voice, although she was trying to hide it. I swallowed.
"This is Lady Sara Riley," Lord Byakuya said, "She's my sister's governess."
"Ah, she's the help…" Lady Sumi said in a tone which I did not like. She was a noble; I almost expected it from her. Lady Sumi didn't even look in Rukia's direction, which once again made Rukia look so sad. I sighed.
"Yes…I'm the help…" I replied, "Do you have a problem with that, Lady Shihoin?"
She stared at me wide eyed before setting her facial expression into an aristocratic arrogant smirk, "No, I just think you're an eye sore."
My sapphire eyes widened. I was simmering with rage. What made it worse was that Lord Byakuya didn't even defend me. He condoned her comments. Lady Sumi grasped his hand and pulled him forward. I followed him and Lady Sumi out onto the green. I tried to keep myself dignified and as lady like as possible. I turned my head and I saw a very dark skinned lady talking to a one of the captains. She had long, deep purple hair tied up in a ponytail. She wore an orange shirt and black tight fitting pants, showing off her curvy figure. She also wore a pair of shin guards and white sandals. She had golden eyes, just like Lady Sumi.
"She's Lady Yoruichi Shihoin, the head of the Shihoin family," Rukia commented. My eyes widened.
"Then why isn't she in a fine kimono," I asked.
"She doesn't bother with that all that much," Rukia said with a shrug. I nodded. I turned my head again and saw Captain Ukitake glancing at me every so often and I shivered. I swallowed as I saw Captain Unohana approaching me.
"Lady Sara, Captain Ukitake would like a word with you," she said quietly. I turned to Rukia.
"Why don't you go and play Rukia?"
She nodded and let go of my hand. I walked over to the white haired captain. I followed the two captains over to a secluded spot, "So, Sara," Ukitake said, finally facing me, "It's not often that I meet a soul that I saved again…"
"Is that so…?" I smiled nervously.
"Captain Unohana has informed me of your situation and I am perfectly happy to keep your secret. I would not wish the Rukongai life upon such a young woman such as you. It is a terrible place."
I bowed deeply, tears threatening to fall, "Thank you, Captain," I said gratefully. I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Captain Ukitake gently lifted his chin with the side of his hand.
"Don't cry, Lady Sara, you'll ruin your make up."
I smiled a watery smile. He had such a kind face. I pulled out a handkerchief from my obi and dried my eyes, "I honestly cannot thank you enough."
"No need," he said kindly, "Now, you go and enjoy the party."
I nodded and I walked away, feeling much happier.
3rd person
Juushiro sighed softly, "That poor girl…If she is discovered, who knows what will happen."
"I am well aware that there are plenty of risks, Captain Ukitake," Retsu replied, "But I wasn't prepared to let all that education she's had in the world of the living go to waste."
Retsu turned her head to see Yachiru launching herself into Sara's arms from Kenpachi's shoulder. Sara had such a cheerful expression on her face as she caught the pink haired lieutenant. She also noticed that Lady Sumi was eying Sara in a way that worried her. She was not one to interfere in the lives of nobles and she didn't claim to know anything about them, but she noticed that there was something in the way Lady Sumi regarded Sara, almost as if she was jealous. Well, it was Sara who was living under the same roof as Byakuya Kuchiki. Obviously Lady Sumi wanted to get something out of this visit. Retsu only hoped that Sara would remain unaffected and that Sara, herself would remain pure from the intrigue of nobles.
Sara's POV
That night, there was a feast in Lady Sumi's honour. It was dignified…until Lieutenants Matsumoto, Kira, Hisagi and Lady Yoruichi got a hold of the sake. I couldn't help but smile behind my fan. Lady Sumi remained straight backed and dignified. There was a part of me that admired her for that. I was invited to join the lieutenants to drink and I had two cups of sake.
"Oh…come on…" a very drunken Rangiku Matsumoto slurred as she thrusted the bottle of sake at me, "Have 'nother one…"
I smiled softly at her, "I can't," I replied politely. She scowled.
"Wha'," she slurred, "Why can't you enjoy yourself? Stuff that uptight bastard and enjoy the night! He wouldn't know a good night out if it came up and slapped him around the face!"
I frowned at her choice of words but I gave in and held out my cup. She enthusiastically poured the sake right up to the brim. I was glad that Rukia had gone to bed. I didn't want her to see me drinking alcohol. I shivered as I felt Lady Sumi's piercing eyes on me. I didn't care. It had been ages since I'd had a great night out and at least I wasn't the only one getting absolutely car-parked*.
And the rest of the night…well…It was a blur and I would surely be reprimanded for not being dignified in the morning, but I didn't care.
And it was worth it.
A/N Car-parked = this is a term my friends and I use. It means getting really drunk or intoxicated.
