"Cherry Blossoms"
Byakuya x Orihime
By Eowynd
Disclaimers: those of always well known by all
(*) Spoilers: appear the Zanpakutous in his true form, so those who have not seen the episodes 230 to 240, i.e. the "Zanpakutous arc" would not understand the details
Everything appearing in italics is thoughts or dialogues between the Zanpakutous and carriers
And if there is any mistake, it's because I'm not an English native and don't have a beta. The Original version is in Spanish and it's called "Cerezos en Flor"
O * O * O * O
- Huh? ¿You want to visit my family house? –Ichigo was praying that his hearing was failing him, so he has misunderstood what Byakuya has just said - ¿Why?
- Well, you don't think that I would let you courtship Rukia without me visiting the people that could become our in laws, ¿right Kurosaki Ichigo?
- Yes… eh, well, no… the thing with my family, well my father… he is kind of special…
- We'll go visit them after you have ended your afternoon lessons at the academy. Rukia, make sure that everything is ready by that hour –said Byakuya ending the talking. Before leaving the dinner room, he took a look at it thinking that for some reason, since Orihime left to live with Ukitake taicho the day before, everything felt more… dark and with to much silence. ¿Was it always like that? He couldn't remember. Well, with any luck, it will be not to long before she was back here.
O * O * O * O
- Good morning Orihime, I hope that your bedroom was comfortable enough –said Ukitake taicho when he entered the dining room that morning.
- Good morning Juushiro-san. The room was perfect and very lovely, thank you very much.
- You are most welcome Orihime-chan –in that moment, while Ukitake was sitting at the table, two small and identical dressing kids enter the room
- Good morning Juu-chan –said at the same time before noted that Orihime was there and then they said- ¿Who is she, Juu-chan?
- Her name is Orihime and she is my cousin. Orihime let me introduce to you my twin Zanpakutous Sōgyo no Kotowari.
- Hi there kids ¿How are you?
- ¡Good! Wanna play with us?
- Maybe after breakfast, we could play for a while –said Orihime
- ¡Yay! ¿Are you going to stay for a long time Orihime-chan?
- I'm not sure yet, it's all depend of Kuchiki-sama
- Huh? Didn't you used to be the kendo sensei of a kid named Kuchiki, Juu-chan? –asked Sōgyo no Kotowari
- Indeed I was, but now the kid is a full grown up and he is dating our cousin Orihime, so in the mean while, she Will stay with us, living here.
- ¡Hooray! –Screamed the Little kids at the same time- ¡We love having guest here! ¿Do you like sweets? ¿Do you like animals? ¿Do you like kids?
- Come on, come on, don't harass Orihime so early in the morning, let her have her breakfast in peace –said Ukitake-san
- Don't worry Juushiro-san. Hum, let's see… Yes, I love sweets, love to play and I love kids very much –said while giving each of them a hug and a kiss in the cheek, leaving them with the cheek covered with pink and, very oddly, very quiet, till they said at the same time
- ¡Welcome home cousin Orihime-chan! Let's get some flowers –said one to the other
-Yes, ¡flowers and sweets for our cousin Orihime! –Said the other twin- ¡don't go anywhere cousin! ¡We'll be right back! –said while leaving the dining room
- I'm sorry about all that Orihime-chan
- It's okay Juushiro-san, but I didn't know that were Zanpakutous that look like kids, among the taisho's
- I suppose I'm a bit guilty for that
- Huh? Why you say that Juushiro-san?
- I always wanted to have kids, but at the same time, I'm been very afraid that they were going to born with this sickness, that I have to deal with all the time, and I just couldn't think of passing that curse to an innocent creature, so I think that's the reason that my Zanpakutous are shaped after little kids –he ended, leaving the auburn girl more than surprised for that sudden and private confession
- I'm so sorry to hear that, Juushiro-san, after all, I think that you would be the most amazing parent
- Are you serious Orihime?
- ¡Of course! By the way that everybody talks about you and how you treat them, I truly believe that you would be an amazing parent. Rukia has only words of affection and love towards you, and even Byakuya-sama talks about you almost as talking about a father more than a taicho or an old kendo sensei
- Thank you for your kind words Orihime, its means a lot to me. ¿What would you like to do today?
- Actually, I would like to visit my best friend Tatsuki, it's been a long time and Rukia tells me that the thing she use to erase the memory of the people , doesn't seem to work properly with her, and she haven't believed the story they told her, so I'm very worried about her
- Going to the human world? Sounds like a nice idea… after all, without counting that time that we went to fight in that fake Karakura replica, I haven't had the chance to travel properly there or visit any place. Let's go after breakfast, I tell Rukia to take charge of everything at the squad and we'll go
- Thank you so much Juushiro-san, I hope you will like the city
- I hope so.
O * O * O * O
- ¡Ichigo! ¡Welcome home son! –that was what Isshin Kurosaki screamed when he opened the door while trying to hit his older son, when he noted the stoic captain Kuchiki Byakuya standing next to Ichigo and behind them was Rukia who was looking the entire scene feeling very embarrassed
- Good evening, my name is Kuchiki Byakuya and this is my younger sister Kuchiki Rukia, ¿May we come in? –Isshin Kurosaki felt his blood freeze in his veins when he heard that. The 28 leader of the Kuchiki family was standing in front of his house, without previous notice, with his Little sister, and his aura was so full of authority and power, which make him think he could surround the entire place with that power (and it probably was like that).
- But of course, please do come in, we love having visitors. Ichigo, go and ask your sisters to bring us some tea and sweets or cookies –said while making room for them to go inside the house. Byakuya did so, while looking quite regal and noble, followed by Rukia and Ichigo, making the ex-shinigami shiver on the inside ¿What the hell was doing this men, probably the most important in the Sereitei, in his home? (*)
- Please take a seat –said pointing the couch for Ichigo and Rukia and another, in fact the best, for Byakuya- ¿May I ask to what I have the honour of these visit?
- The motive of my visit, is about something very important, but first tell me something ¿are you aware of the relationship between my younger sister and your oldest son? – ¡holy Hell! Isshin has never made the connexion between both of them, 'cause as far as he know, Kuchiki Byakuya was an only child and at most, he thought they would be long distance relatives
- Yes, I do, as a matter of fact; I like to think of Rukia like another daughter of this family
- Really? ¿May I ask why?
- Mainly, 'cause of how beneficial it's been her presence for both of my youngest daughters, as you may probably know, I'm a widow and raising two Little girls it's kind of hard for a single man, especially in certain themes of a more womanly nature, in which Rukia's help it's been priceless –ended Isshin
- I understand, I'm a widow myself, and I know how hard that can be -said Byakuya. In that moment Karin approach the guest and after greeting them, she ask
- We only have oolong tea ¿Is that okay with you? –even if she didn't want to admit it, the captain aura's have her very impressed, and, for some reason that she didn't understand, she have the feeling that she must bow to him, like the servants From those old samurais movies did it whit they lord, and that it would be the most proper thing to do. ¿could it be, that this men, was really Rukia's older brother? He was really intimidating, gorgeous too, but he look like the tiger that they have saw the other day at the zoo. Elegant and beautiful, but at the same time a powerful predator, which you should treat with respect and a safe distance.
- It is, thank you –said Byakuya- would you tell me your name young miss?
- Kurosaki Karin, sir
- I'm delighted to make your acquaintance Karin; I understand that there are two sisters in this house
- That's right, my sister Yuzu and I
- I would love to meet her, ¿Could you ask her to come?
- Of course, give me a moment –she leaves the living and came back a few moments later with the youngest of the Kurosakis.
- Good evening sir. My name is Yuzu; it's very nice to meet you
- I'm delighted to make your acquaintance Yuzu, ¿Do you know why we are here today? –Both denied with their heads- it does have to do, with the relationship between your older brother and my sister. Mister Kurosaki, your son has come to me to ask me for a formal petition to courtship my youngest sister, in the most serious intentions, reason why I decided to pay you a visit, so we can establish the parameters to that petition and his value.
- My son did that? –Isshin couldn't understand what was going on. Since when his son has grown up so much, as to go to the 28 leader of the Kuchiki clan to ask for the hand of his only and younger sister in courtship?
- Indeed he did, and in achieve that goal, he's been doing a lot of merits, and one can't say he have done it all wrong, never the less, I need to meet his family, to make me a better idea of the kind of man he Will be for my sister and as a Father of my nieces and nephews, after all, the relationship between Father and son, determine that and much more in the kids, so I'm here to see what kind of Father are you Kurosaki Isshin to have an idea of what could be Kurosaki Ichigo in the near future. –to all the people there, with the exception of Byakuya, the soul froze over and their blood hit the floor when they heard that. If Byakuya's decision depends of what he saw of Isshin Kurosaki as a Father in this house, Ichigo could consider himself as good as dead, and Karakura city could be considered completely destroyed, 'cause the captain will never aloud they see each other ever again, and even least to get married, with that kind of father as an example.
-So, tell me little ladies ¿What can you tell me about your father? –finally asked the captain
O * O * O * O
- You really miss him, right Orihime? –Ukitake asked her, while they were sitting at the ice cream shop near the red haired olds apartment
- Huh? ¿To whom are you referring Juushiro-san?
- Byakuya of course –Orihime felt her cheeks go pink with that, 'cause it was actually truth
- I do miss him, ¿but how…?
- you have been sighing since you arrive at my home and since we arrive to the city, so I supposed it was because you miss him, its classic between lovers when they are away From each other –he said with a smile- especially when they are at the beginning of the relationship, when everything is the prettiest.
- ¡Orihime! –a scream suddenly made them turn their heads to the back of the store.
- ¡Tatsuki-chan! –the red haired girl greeted her friend while raising her hand. The brunette run towards the table where they were both eating ice-cream.
- ¡Orihime! Where the hell have you being all this time? It's been almost a year since you left
- I thought that Rukia and the rest told you that some relatives came for me –said the red haired girl remembering what Rukia has told her
- But, Why now? Why not before? "Like when your brother died" –asked the brunette, who haven't belied the history like every else seemed to do it. The friend she know, would never left without saying good bye
- Why don't you sit with us Tatsuki, that way we could explain everything to you –said the auburn girl
- We? –only then the other girl seemed to realize that there was another person there. A very tall White haired man, sitting at the table, smiling to both girls. It was very handsome and has an aura full of peace and serenity, like that was the only thing he could make you feel, and somehow, she felt more at peace when he saw him. Orihime grab her arm and made her seat between them.
- Juushiro-san I want to introduce to you my biggest and best friend in the all world, Tatsuki-chan. Tatsuki-chan these is my cousin Ukitake Juushiro-san
- Oh, so this beautiful lady is the famous Tatsuki? It's very nice to meet you Tatsuki-chan, Orihime haven't stop talking about you, so I was very curious to meet you, please accept this candies –said while taking some small bag from his jacket, and giving it to the brunette, without losing his smile or his aura of amiability. She took them a little confused that an old man would be carrying sweets in his jacket, but for some reason she start to notice some air of similitude between both of them. It seems that both can only make you feel peace and serenity around them.
- Huh, thank you Ukitake-san
- Please Juushiro-san will make it; after all, there is no need to be so formal
- Anyway, What is all these history to come looking for Orihime now? ¿Why not when Sora died? She spend months alone and forgotten in that apartment
- Tatsuki-chan…
- Worry not Orihime, your friend is very loyal to you and I love it, she is like a young samurái-ko From XV century –for Tatsuki that analogy didn't bothered as much as should, 'cause she have an image of herself more closest to a warrior to a damsel in distress- Tatsuki-chan, due to my line of Work I have to make very long travels, that sometimes keeps me away From home for longs periods of time, and that's why I didn't Heard about what happened to cousin Sora till long after his death, and beside that, I must admit that I have a very poor health, which stop me to take care of Orihime till now, that finally the papers were ready, but things happened in such a way, that we couldn't let you know on time and I very sorry about that Tatsuki-chan, 'cause I know that it's have been you, the one who took care of her all this time, making sure she was okay, and for that I will be forever in debt with you, beyond what I can express.
- So, Orihime is really going to live with you? –she let her gaze go down when she said that
- Don't be sad Tatsuki-chan, that doesn't mean that Orihime Will stop being your friend just because she doesn't live closet o you anymore or that she won't come to visit you never more, it just means that both of you Will have to learn to spend less time together, but you'll never stop being friends just for that, if that was the case, you never become the friend that you are –ended Ukitake making that a few tears came to the brunettes eyes
- besides, Tatsuki-chan need not to worry, I'll come to see you every time I can, and you can come to visit me From time to time –said the auburn girl- we just have to see it with Rukia and Byakuya so that you can visit the Kuchiki mansion.
- Huh? What are you talking Orihime? Who is Byakuya? What place is this Kuchiki mansion? –the internal brunette's alarm went on, with full force, at hearing those names
- Eh… well, Byakuya is Rukia's oldest brother –said Orihime- and the Kuchiki mansion is their home.
- Did you just say mansion? –Asked the brunette- When you said mansion, it's a house with what? 10 rooms? Maybe 20?
- I haven't count them, but I think it's over 50 rooms –said Orihime while trying to make a sort of mental picture of what she knew of the mansion
- 50 Rooms? Then, they are filthy rich, right? –Tatsuki seemed quite shocked, after all she have noted that Rukia has some manners and a very formal speech for someone From Karakura Institute, but she never imagine she Will be a kind of wealthy heir
- In fact, they are –said Ukitake- Byakuya is the 28 clan leader, which makes them a very powerful and old family, with lots of money
- And what they have to do with all these?
- The truth is… Byakuya-sama… he… well… -tried to say Orihime- he asked Juushiro-san permission to courtship me officially
- Huh? What are you talking about? Courtship you? Like you were his… future… -suddenly the words seem to get stuck in her throat when she understood what was going on and the word 'wife' hit her like a ton of bricks – ¡that's impossible! ¡You are not even 20! –Said hitting the table with her fist - ¿What are you thinking Orihime? ¿Is this the reason why these people wanted to take you with them, so they can sell you to this Byakuya? ¿Like if we were still living in the XV century?
- No Tatsuki-chan, you got it al wrong –said the red haired girl- I already have meet Byakuya-sama before. The thing is that, in this time that I been far away, I have the chance to really know him, and it's got nothing to do with selling anyone, I… I really love Byakuya and, by amazing this could sound, he loves me to, he doesn't even care, that I'm an orphan, with no money, and no last name. He loves me enough to ask my hand to Juushiro-san and become my fiancé.
- besides nobody is forcing Orihime to marry him –said Ukitake- this is just a courtship, the hand in marriage thing, is not done yet, and I don't think it's going to happened for at least a year, which is what courtship tend to last – all this was said while he put a reassuring hand in the brunettes shoulder and give her a big smile –you truly are a loyal and fearsome friend Tatsuki-chan, I'm so happy to have meet you today. I hope that someday you will accept an invitation to have tea and sweets with me, ¿right?
- I'll think about that –was all that she can say
- Thank you so much. What would you say if I ask you to help me shopping some gifts? I don't have the time to walk in the city very often and I would be honored if to ladies so pretty will come with me –asked Ukitake
- We'll love it, right Tatsuki-chan?
- I guess it's okay –said the brunette. She couldn't fight against to people like these- but I want to hear more about this Byakuya, I still don't trust him
-Oh, but Tatsuki-chan, I'm sure that you would like Byakuya-sama when you meet him –said the red haired girl
O * O * O * O
- Well, ladies, I'm waiting for an answer –said Byakuya looking at the twins
- Hum, well, our Father is… -started Yuzu
- Is childish, immature and irresponsible with all, except his Work as a doctor in the clinic –said Karin. This make Ichigo and Rukia, lost all the colour of their faces
- But, he is also, caring and tender with us and play soccer with us whenever he can at the park –continued Yuzu
- Soccer? –Byakuya hasn't heard of that Word before- What is this soccer thing?
- Is a sport that is played with a balloon and eleven players by each side, each team try to put this ball between some sticks and one of the players try to stop the other team. It's played with the feet, except for the one who catch the ball, it's the only one who can use his/hers hands –explained Karin incapable of believe that someone didn't know soccer-
- It seems like a game not very suited for little ladies –commented Byakuya- Rukia, have you played this sport?
- No Byakuya niisama, but I have seen Ichigo and her sisters playing it, and it seem quite funny and good for the lower part of the body
- Really? I would like a little demonstration afterwards, if it is possible. Now tell me, if you have the chance to change your father for another ¿Will you do it?
- Of course not –answered Yuzu- maybe he is not the best Father in the world, but is our Father and we love him anyway.
- Hummm… I guess not… but sounds tempting –said Karin. Byakuya only drink some more of his cup
- It's truth that Rukia used to stay in this house?
- Yes, she did it –confirmed Karin
- In where did she stay? This place seemed a little… small.
- In Yuzu's bedroom –quickly said Karin. Something told her that telling Byakuya that her sister slept in Ichigo's wardrobe wasn't safe for no one.
- I understood. Tell me girls; what is your opinion about Rukia and your brother Ichigo, as a couple?
- They are meant for each other –said Karin- as they say, god made them and they found each other
- Besides Rukia is very nice to us, she is like the older sister we never have and we love her very much –ended Yuzu
- I think I have heard enough to make me an idea –said Byakuya- now I have a final question to make, if possible
- Of course, what would it be? –asked Isshin
- Why a member of the Shiba and a good shinigami like you left the Sereitei to come to live in the human world, have a family and change his last name?
- Huh? Dad? ¿What is Byakuya saying? –asked Ichigo
- I knew this day will come –said Isshin with a sigh- you see son, I'm a shinigami, and some time ago, I was a member of the eleven squad
- Zaraki's taicho squad? –asked Rukia
- Well, it wasn't Zaraki taicho the one in charge in those days, but still was the best squad. Everything started with a mission in Karakura, that's when I met your mother, she have the ability to see ghost and she used to be chased by Hollows, obviously she didn't understand what those creatures were, but still managed to avoid them all the time. I couldn't help it and fall in love with her like a fool. Every time I came to Karakura I stop to watch her, but one day I was informed that my family had made a marriage contract with a very important and respectful family, so I left Sereitei in a mission with some squad members and after finished some hollows I decided to stay in Karakura with your mother and take her family name –ended Isshin- but, How did you found it Kuchiki-sama?
- Since the first moment I saw Kurosaki Ichigo I noted the great look-a-like that he have with the late Shiba Kaien, the ex lieutenant of Ukitake-san, and that got me thinking, but in that moment didn't give it more importance due to circumstances, but I always remembered, after all two persons can look so much alike, without been some relationship in between. So, I started to dig in the old files from the noble houses and found about a missing Shiba, cataloged as M.I.A. some 20 years ago, who would be a lost cousin of Shiba Kaien. Besides, that would explain why Kurosaki Ichigo and her sisters have those abilities, that huge reiatsu and why he is able to be a shinigami without being dead
- I don't understand niisama, what do you mean?
- Kurosaki's mother have a reiatsu that allowed her to see ghost and other spirits, which is not so unusual among humans, but what would happen if, to top of that, we put the reiatsu of a full shinigami? The answer will be a very powerful babies, that if I'm not mistaken were sealed as were they were born, to not attract the hollows, but it wasn't entirely successful, because they can still see spirits like their mother and with sometime the seal went weak and by the end, when Rukia found Ichigo what she did was not transfer her shinigami powers to Ichigo. What she did was liberate the young men's reiatsu.
- Amazing, just the kind of thing that one could expect from the Kuchiki clan leader –said Isshin- everything that Kuchiki-sama has say its truth, those seals I bought them to Urahara years ago and he even help me to place them on the kids.
- It was pretty irresponsible not to warn them about their condition. If you have, Kurosaki Ichigo wouldn't go to a war with no knowledge about Zanpakutous, bankai or reiatsu –said Byakuya- and a lot of problems could be avoided
- I just did what I thought was better for my child in that moment –said Isshin- it's a petty that I couldn't see beyond in those years
- Anyway, we can't do anymore about it –said Byakuya- Thanks for the tea, little girls. Rukia is time to get back home; Kurosaki Ichigo must stay since he has a lot to talk with his Father. As soon as we arrive to Sereitei I'll send a letter to his sensei's to excuse them from tomorrows lesson. See you soon Shiba Isshin, Kurosaki, Karin, and little Yuzu –said while getting up From his seat followed by Rukia while Karin lead them to the front door
- Niisama, Do you think they will be okay?
- Yes, they Will be, now that the know the truth, they Will be okay –ended the captain before the door to the other world would open
End of chapter VII
Thanks for they reviews to: catherinebravo313, guest, R3iga1004, darkangel, Michiko Burel & moodymel
See you next chapter ;)