Author's Note: You don't have to read this actually. I might be a bit boring today because it's really late and I'm kind of sleep... -.-' Anyway, hello there, y'all. Cecilia's back with a whole new chapter. Okay so before you read this, I just have to say... Lady Horoko is awesome! I really love her. She's like my idol to tell you the truth! She's so beautiful, dignified, and elegant that it sends shivers down my spine. I really do love her and she's so sweet with Byakuya, Aneko, and Etsu. She's like that strict and caring mother that everyone really needs from time to time. Anyway, just so you guys know, this chapter wasn't really supposed to be here. In my original format, the whole Aneko finally seeing Lady Horoko again was supposed to be a flashback, but then I realized that making it a flashback would do an injustice for Lady Horoko and she deserves more for her efforts. So I decided to give her a whole chapter dedicated to her! Yay! Anyway... I'm gonna go to sleep now... I have midterms tomorrow and I really didn't study... Lolz I'm gonna fail because of my love for my readers so please... REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! GODAMMIT, REVIEW ALREADY! Please REVIEW! I've been so sad lately because no one likes to review anymore and I need you reviews! They are the only thing that keeps this lovely story going. So please REVIEW! Love y'all!And until next time! ^_^
Additional Information: All character images are provided on my profile page in order of appearance. Please feel free to look at them at any time. Thanks! ^_^ Including Lady Horoko's beautiful photo!
Can I Go On? (A Byakuya Kuchiki Love Story)
Book Two, Chapter Two
Welcome to the Family
Name: Lady Horoko 'Miki' Mayako
Height: 5' 5''
Birthday: March 25
Soul Society Class: The noble head mistress of the Mayako family.
Family: Lord Kazuma Mayako (husband, deceased), Kohana Mayako (daughter, estranged), and Aneko Mayako (adopted family member)
Personality: Known for her beauty, elegance, and grace, Lady Horoko remains the ideal female aristocrat throughout the Seireitei. She is a woman who adheres strictly to rules and abstains from temptations and desires. Rather than having her voice heard, Lady Horoko prefers to remain discreet and in the background and because of her silent nature, she may come off as cold-hearted. However, even though it rarely shows, one cannot mistake her large heart and her generous amount of compassion for those close to her. She is well-respected among the nobility of the Seireitei and is often idolized by young female shinigami students.
History: Born into the noble Mayako family, Lady Horoko was taught at a young age to become a perfect young lady. She quickly rose through all her classes as a genius and become both an excellent fighter and a poised young woman. Because of her talents and helpful contributions to the task, Lady Horoko became one of the founding members to establish the Gotei 13 and the Shinigami Academy alongside Captain-General Yamamoto. She then married her husband, Kazuma Kyoraku, through an arranged marriage. They had one child, Kohana Mayako. Unfortunately, Kazuma died in the line of duty and was eaten by a Hollow. Devastated, Lady Horoko held on to the little family she had left, her daughter. However, when she became of age, Kohana ran away and eloped with a human, scandalizing the clean Mayako name. Years passed before Lady Horoko was introduced to a young girl with piercing purple eyes, Aneko Rinkiku, who was later adopted into the family, taking the place of Kohana. Lady Horoko continues to be an active member of the Gotei 13 and continues to move up in ranks.
Current Shinigami Status: Active member and judge of Central 46
"It's beautiful out today, isn't it? Hmm… would it be a bother if I were to ask you to open my windows today? It's been awhile since I actually got some fresh air…"
A young shinigami turned around from what she was doing and looked at the woman you sat on the bed near the window. A slight blush appeared on the shinigami's cheeks out of pure awe for this woman, who looked out the window serenely. Her beautiful long black hair fell lightly around her shoulders and cascaded down her back. She wore a clean white kimono that barely contrasted from her porcelain skin that was completely flawless. Everything about this woman was perfect and with that, an air of regality surrounded her, making her seem almost unnatural. Her eyes shone brightly in the sun with a purple magnificence that put all the purple flowers that were arranged beautifully around the room to shame. The shinigami smiled and sighed with adoration.
"N-Not at all, my lady. It would not be a bother." The shinigami said, nervous.
The woman in the bed turned and looked at the shinigami with a small smile. Her purples eyes examined the female shinigami that was in charge of taking care of her, but honestly, the woman's mind was more concerned with the doorway that led into her room.
"I wasn't expecting visitors today… Captain Kuchiki…" The woman sighed, lightly.
The woman turned and found Byakuya standing there, his grey eyes looking at her. She looked at him with the same smile she had given the girl and titled her head as she saw the small pink bonsai tree in his hands.
"Good afternoon, Lady Horoko." Byakuya said, quietly, walking up to the side table next to her bed.
"Byakuya, you shouldn't have, but thank you." Lady Horoko said, daintily, watching him place the small bonsai tree near the other flowers and gifts.
"It's the least I can do… You must forgive me for my absence over the past couple of days. I've been bus—"
"Don't worry yourself about it over me, Byakuya. From what I can tell from the gossiping shinigami here, Kanji's created quite a fuss." Lady Horoko giggled, glancing over to the shinigami that still stood there.
The girl was staring at Captain Kuchiki with bedroom eyes and in quite a daze. Lady Horoko giggled and turned to Byakuya.
"I guess some things never change. You still have little girls falling head over heels for you after all these years. I'm actual a bit glad you haven't been visiting me or else the shinigami taking care of me would get nothing done." Lady Horoko said with an amused voice.
Byakuya looked at Lady Horoko with a confused expression and then turned to the female shinigami. She gasped as their eyes met and her face turned beet red. Out of pure embarrassment, the girl quickly bowed and ran out of the room, completely forgetting to open Lady Horoko's windows.
"My point exactly…" Lady Horoko giggled.
Byakuya sighed and shook his head, "Don't worry. I'll open your windows."
Lady Horoko nodded with appreciation as she watched Byakuya open all the windows in her room as well as the large sun window that was right next to her bed. As he finished this task, he pulled out the wooden chair that sat alone in the corner and pulled it up to Lady Horoko's bedside. He took a seat on it and looked at her with his calm expression. Lady Horoko looked at him and then out the window, watching a couple of birds fly through the sky. Byakuya followed her gaze and followed the birds with his grey eyes.
"How are you feeling, Lady Horoko?" Byakuya asked, sighing, placing his attention back on her.
Lady Horoko nodded and said, "Fine… but Lady Unohana still wants to monitor my vitals."
There was a long pause before Byakuya spoke again, "Do you know what happened?"
A good amount of time passed before Lady Horoko spoke and answered her question, "It turns out it was a heart attack."
Byakuya looked back out the window sadly. It was a few weeks ago that Lady Horoko was admitted into the Squad 4 barracks. One of the maids had found Lady Horoko on the floor, unconscious. Byakuya remembered standing outside Lady Horoko's room with Yamamoto, Kyoraku and all of their lieutenants. That's when the maid who found Lady Horoko unconscious said to us that she was in Aneko's room… she was holding a picture… Byakuya thought. He turned and saw that next to his bonsai tree a picture stood. Behind its glass, a small girl with long black hair and bright purple eyes was laughing in the arms of a young Lady Horoko.
"I got a letter from Central 46 about a meeting that was being held today…"
Byakuya looked at her, his expression unchanging, before he said, "Is that why you weren't expecting anyone to visit you today?"
Lady Horoko moved her hands together on her lap. Placing her left hand palm up in her right hand, she rubbed her right thumb gently, tracing the many creases that indented her left palm.
"It was about a girl who had committed some crimes in the World of the Living."
"Yes… it was."
"Did you stay for the verdict?
"No… I stayed alongside Captain Yamamoto and the committed felon in the Squad 1 detention cells, but I wanted to keep my promise to you… so I left early."
Lady Horoko let out a chuckle and continued to stare at her palms, before saying, "It's her… isn't it?"
Byakuya looked at Lady Horoko and then closed his eyes, before answering her, "Yes…"
Lady Horoko sighed and smacked her lips quietly. She continued to follow each crease with her purple years that even with the passing years, never seemed to dull.
"How do you know?" She finally, said as she followed the crease that led to her wrist.
Byakuya straightened his back and said in a quiet voice, "I spoke with her… she's Aneko. There's no mistaking that."
Byakuya watched Lady Horoko's body shiver.
"How?" She said.
"How what?"
Lady Horoko turned to him and said, in a worried voice, which was strange coming from her of all people, "How did you… I mean…"
Byakuya sighed and leaned forward to wrap his hand around hers. She looked down at his strong hands. She felt her lips quiver and her eyes tear up just slightly.
"Lady Horoko…" Byakuya said, his voice now had a hint of compassion.
"I'm sorry… It's just been so long…"
"I know…"
There was a long pause, before Lady Horoko spoke once again, "How are you coping, Byakuya?"
Immediately, Lady Horoko felt his grip around her hands tighten. She looked at him and saw the pain that was in his eyes as they looked straight down at the floor. She smiled, removed her hand from underneath his hand, and placed it on his head. She felt his grip tighten even more as she began to stroke his hair. He let out a big sigh.
"Lady Horoko…"
"Shh, dear. I know. You're just confused… that's all. It's natural."
"But…" Byakuya said looking up at her with the same eyes he had when he was a child. "I don't know what to do. Half of me is glad she's alive… and here, but…"
Lady Horoko smiled and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead. It was rare to see the great Captain Kuchiki show so much emotion in such little time, but to Lady Horoko, he was still the same little schoolboy who fell head over heels for her adoptive daughter. Ever since the death of his mother, his attitude and view of the world became warped. Lady Horoko remembered the days she was worried for the wellbeing of this boy and consistently visited him. You could say, she became his second mother. So these outbursts of emotions were nothing strange to Lady Horoko. She was, after all, the person who introduced him to his late wife, Hisana.
Lady Horoko smiled and continued to stroke his hair. Byakuya sighed, but then his eyes glanced to the side towards the door. Lady Horoko followed his gaze and her smile disappeared. She sighed and looked at Byakuya with a nod. He returned her nod and got up from his chair, kissing her on the cheek in the process.
Lady Horoko watched as he became the same emotionless captain once again, straightening his haori and shihakusho. He gave her one last look and then turned to the doorway, walking briskly out of the room, leaving the wooden chair and Lady Horoko alone. She turned back to the open window and waited patiently for her next visitor.
Byakuya walked out the room and stopped outside the door. He sighed quietly and turned to his left. There standing was a young woman with long black hair that was tied up in a ponytail that was highly decorated with an assortment of beautiful headdresses and flowers. She wore a traditional purple kimono that had a complicated floral pattern weaved into its soft-looking fabric. There was a bouquet of various irises, lilies, and cherry blossom branches in her small hands. She looked up and met his gaze.
"Hello, Byakuya."
"Hello, Aneko… by the looks of it, I guess everything went well?"
Aneko smiled and nodded, as she turned her whole body towards him. However, as she turned, a small girl was revealed behind Aneko. She quickly ran over and bumped into Aneko's leg, grabbing her kimono tightly. She wore a pink kimono that had baby Koi fish swimming happily near the bottom of the outfit. Her hair was up in a ponytail as well and it was decorated with just a single pink rose. She was burying her face into Aneko's kimono. Byakuya looked at the child an expressionless gaze.
"Etsu, show your respect for Captain Kuchiki. You have to learn how to respect your superiors while we're here." Aneko said, turning to the small child.
Etsu looked up at Aneko with her big brown eyes and then she looked at Byakuya. He watched as she stepped away from Aneko and bowed lowly to him. She straightened her back and looked at Byakuya with a waiting look. He nodded at her, but once he acknowledged her respect, she immediately dug her face back into Aneko's kimono. Aneko sighed.
"You're still so shy, Etsu…"
Byakuya looked at Aneko and said, "At least you're teaching her the proper manners…"
Aneko looked at him and gave him a small smile, before saying, "Well, I better not let Lady Horoko wait for me too long…"
Byakuya nodded and stood to the side to let her and Etsu through. He watched her silently as she passed him and made her way to the doorway, but before Byakuya left, she turned around.
"Hey, Byakuya…" Aneko said, softly.
He met her gaze, somewhat captivated by her bright purple eyes.
"Yeah?" He asked.
She hesitated and said, "Ichimaru, Aizen, and Kanji are coming over the Mayako manor to catch up on things on Friday… Would you like to come?"
Byakuya looked at Aneko and sighed, "Sorry, I already have plans on Friday. Forgive me."
Aneko nodded, looking away at the ground, somewhat disappointed, "Oh… Of course. Well, if you get done early with your plans, you can always just drop by. You're always welcome at the manor."
Aneko met his gaze and smiled.
Byakuya nodded his head and said, before turning down the hallway and walking away from Aneko and Etsu. "Thank you anyway."
Aneko watched him until he disappeared around the corner. She sighed quietly.
"What an awkward moment… Is it going to be like that whenever we talk to that man?" Etsu whined.
Aneko snapped her head to look at Etsu with an annoyed look and said, "It's very rude to act all shy and innocent in front of other people and show your true colors only to me, you know that?"
Etsu stuck out her tongue at Aneko and dug her face back into Aneko's kimono.
Aneko sighed and shook her head at Etsu, patting her head, as she peeked out from the purple fabric and smiled back at her big sister. Aneko smiled brightly at the girl and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, but as she straightened her back, her smile disappeared. Aneko looked at the beautiful bouquet of flowers and then down at the kimono she was wearing.
It was unbelievable that she still fit in this old thing. It was the very last kimono Lady Horoko had given her before she left and this was actually the very first time she wore the thing. Like always, Lady Horoko had the best taste in kimonos. Aneko smiled and felt the silky fabric between her palm and fingers. Taking in a deep breath, Aneko turned back towards the doorway and walked in with Etsu closely following behind.
The minute Aneko entered the small room, the smell of flowers hit her nostrils and a bright ray of sunshine shone on her face. Aneko noticed that unlike the other rooms in the barracks, this room's windows were open and their shades pulled back, letting a breeze play among the flowers that sway happily.
Aneko looked around and smiled at the amount of pictures, presents, and flowers that seemed to adorn the room. I guess the love for Lady Horoko hasn't changed at all… Aneko thought, but as she scanned the room, her gaze stopped on the woman who sat on the clean bed. She was looking at Aneko with bright purple eyes. They stayed there, gazing at each other for a long time. It was awhile before either of them moved a centimeter, but it was Lady Horoko who broke the silence, unable to bear it any longer.
"After all these years… you still don't know how to fix your hair properly, young lady." She said, with a small smile.
Aneko looked at her with wide eyes and then she smiled widely. Lady Horoko watched as Aneko let the bouquet fall to her side, run forward, and throw her arms around Lady Horoko's neck. Lady Horoko gasped and looked down at Aneko, who began to cry, tears cascading her red cheeks. Lady Horoko closed her eyes and remembered the last time Aneko ever hugged her like this. She felt her lips quiver and tears began to fall down her pale face as she wrapped her own arms around Aneko.
"You horrible child… how could you allow me to suffer for so long?" Lady Horoko cried.
Aneko shook her head as she slid down out of Lady Horoko's arms and began to cry loudly in her lap. Lady Horoko smiled through her tears and looked compassionately down at Aneko, who was sitting on the floor at this point.
"Lady Horoko… I'm so sorry… I never meant… Please forgive me…" Aneko said, in between gasps and tears. "I've missed you so much…"
Lady Horoko let out a small chuckle and touched her back, allowing years of built-up emotion and regret pour out.
"I know, my dear. I know… I'm just so glad you're alive." Lady Horoko said, just crying out of joy now, "I knew it all along… I knew you were alive…"
Lady Horoko continued to allow Aneko to cry and it was awhile until she got enough strength to compose herself so she didn't have to gasp in between every word.
"The last time you cried this hard to me was when you accidentally tore your favorite kimono while practicing that fan dance I taught you." Lady Horoko giggled, taking out the flowers from Aneko's hair. "Child, how many times must I tell you…? A young lady must be humble in her appearance."
Aneko laughed and wiped away her tears, but failed miserably, before saying, "It was the day before your birthday and I wanted to show you how hard I'd been practicing. I loved that dance so much, but whenever I did it, I always fell down on the turns."
"Because you never practiced your footwork. By the time you got to the turns, you would be so tangled up that you'd fall flat on your face."
They both laughed and looked at each other straight in the eyes. Lady Horoko cupped Aneko's cheek and smiled widely. She leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.
"I've missed you so much, my dear, Aneko…"
Aneko smiled and said, "I've missed you too, Lady Horoko…"
Lady Horoko straightened her back and she turned to Etsu, who Aneko left for Lady Horoko. Aneko followed Lady Horoko's gaze and looked over her shoulder to see Etsu standing there. They both watched as Etsu bowed lowly at Lady Horoko, pick up the bouquet of flowers, and walk over. As she got to Lady Horoko's bedside, she stopped and handed Lady Horoko the beautiful bouquet.
"Thank you, darling… Aneko, might I ask who is this charming young lady?" Lady Horoko asked, tucking a stray hair behind Etsu's ear.
Aneko smiled as she laid her head on Lady Horoko's lap and gazed at Etsu proudly, "This is the little girl who saved my life the day the Hollow attacked me."
Lady Horoko looked at Etsu with wide eyes and then at Aneko, saying, "Are you serious? Now you owe your life to a little girl? Can you not take care of yourself anymore, Aneko? Really now. Such a disgrace to the Mayako name…"
Aneko smiled, continued to stare at Etsu's big brown eyes, and took the little girl's hand, "Well, at least, you'll have this little one now if I fail to live up to the Mayako name."
At this point, both Etsu and Lady Horoko looked at Aneko with wide eyes.
"Lady Horoko… I would like to introduce Miss Etsu Mayako, the next member of our family."
Etsu gasped quietly as she stared at Aneko's happy face. She then looked at Lady Horoko who was smiling at Aneko and turned her attention to Etsu.
"If this girl really saved your life, Aneko… She's bound to be a better young lady than you'll ever be." Lady Horoko said, chuckling and taking Etsu's other hand. "Welcome to the family, Etsu-chan."
Etsu looked at both of them with wide eyes and then she smiled brightly, jumping up and hugging Lady Horoko tightly. Lady Horoko laughed lightly and hugged the child back, glancing over at Aneko. Aneko observed the sweet moment, realizing that she finally gave Etsu what she always wanted and what she herself had always missed when she left for that mission: a family. Aneko smiled widely, standing up and joining in the hug from behind Etsu. They all began to laugh happily as a white cabbage butterfly flew into the room and landed on Lady Horoko's bouquet.
