Hi everyone,
I have no excuse for the very long delay… I just want you to enjoy this chapter like I enjoyed to write it.
So please, enjoy!
Chapter Eight: My very own.
Byakuya returned back home that night. While he roamed his hallways, he decided to check on Abigail, to see if she was alright. Before he reached her room, the handmaiden Kaoru came running to him. He gave her a look and she bowed. Her eyes glanced at Abigail's door for a moment before she returned her attention to her Lord.
"Has she come out of her room this afternoon?" He asked her.
Kaoru shook her head. "No, Kuchiki-sama, she hasn't and she didn't want us in as well."
Byakuya fixed a look at her door. "What about dinner?"
Kaoru bowed. "She hasn't eaten yet, besides breakfast this morning."
He narrowed his eyes. "She hasn't?"
Kaoru nodded. "She refused to eat when we brought her some dinner, Kuchiki-sama. But she doesn't feel well." Byakuya frowned. "Her time of the month." Kaoru whispered, her cheeks turned red. Byakuya shrugged and dismissed her. Kaoru went away while she peeked over her shoulder.
He opened her door and went inside. It was pretty dark in her room, but he knew the way. He stopped right at her futon and looked down at the sleeping figure on the blankets. She was still dressed in her uniform and to his amazing, she was still wearing his haori. In fact, it looked like she was clinging onto it. But she used it as it blanket as well.
He was concerned about her. She was under his protection and it was his duty to make sure nothing happens to her. Later on the day, he received a Hell Butterfly from the General telling him that Abigail was his acting Lieutenant from now on. He had stared at the Butterfly for some time before the information reach his mind. But deep inside he didn't mind… besides he needed a fukutaishou and Abigail was more than good enough.
Byakuya kneeled down on his knees, put his zanpakuto next to him and wondered what he was going to do now. When he looked at her, he noticed that she was different from other women he met before. Not only was she beautiful, but she was foreign. A Western woman and exotic on her own way. He blond hair was like a halo around her pale face, long eyelashes, full red lips and a nice strong body.
Byakuya closed his eyes and sighed. What am I doing? He couldn't believe himself that he was actually checking her out. But now he has seen everything… even naked. He still felt a bit ashamed of that, because he really wasn't his intention of doing so. Byakuya shook his head. Back at the matter at hand. She needed to wake up and eat, even if she didn't feel like it. She had no other choices.
Byakuya stretched out his hand, but stopped before he touched her cheek. He frowned. Was he about to caress her? Byakuya moved his hand and touched her shoulder instead. He shook her gently, but there was no response. "Abigail." He said while shaking her. Abby frowned in her sleep and swapped the hand away. "Abby." There, he has said it. "Wake up." Abby slowly started to wake and when her green eyes opened, he took his hand back and straightened his back.
Abby blinked her sleep away and was confused of why she was seeing Byakuya sitting there. Is this a dream? She blinked again, but the image stayed. Yep, he's here. Abby took a deep breath and turned on her back, consciously knowing that he was watching her. Then she groaned when her belly hurt. Fuck! Why does it have to happen now? Sometimes I really hate to be a woman! Abby closed her eyes again.
"Abigail."
She opened her eyes again. Byakuya was staring at her. "What?"
He raised an eyebrow. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
Abby looked at him. Was there a tone of concern in his voice? That was a first. "I'm freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional. I'm fine, Byakuya; just let me sl-"
"No. You haven't eaten anything yet."
"Since when do you care?" Abby said, angrily.
"I do care." He returned.
"Nice way of showing it." She turned around on her side, her back facing him. Byakuya narrowed his eyes. The nerve of that woman. "Just let me sleep."
"No, you are going to eat something, then you may sleep." He grabbed her shoulder and made her face him again. Abby made a noise and resisted. But Byakuya pulled harder and she didn't gave in. It was almost a blanket fight instead of a pillow fight. Abby hold on to her futon while Byakuya had her by 'his' haori. "Abigail." Byakuya growled. But then she propelled herself at him at the same moment he pulled. Both landed on the hard floor with her on top. Abby giggled, but turned into a girly squeak when he rolled himself from under her. Now she was laying beneath him.
Abby giggled again. "This is so unbecoming of you." She really could feel his weight on her. Not to mention he was laying between her legs. When her brain registered that, she started to blush slightly.
Byakuya also noticed the strange position he found himself in, but he didn't show it, or at least not from the outside. "All your fault." He replied.
Abby shrugged. "You started it." She started to wiggle and squirm underneath him.
Byakuya felt the pressure against his groin with her squirming and bit back a groan. "Stop that." he said to warn her.
"Stop what?" She asked innocently. Byakuya could growl at her. "You mean this?" She moved her hips up and down. Byakuya made a small noise. She smirked.
"Abby!" He hissed.
"Then get off me." She replied cold. Byakuya was only happy to do that. He straightened his cloths and could still feel the sensations in his neither regions. Abby stayed on the floor, but slowly crawled back towards her futon.
"No, you don't." He grabbed her by the turf of the haori and pulled her upright. She protested and gave him a glare. "You will follow me to dinner and eat with me. Then, afterwards you can do whatever you like."
Abby crossed her arms. "Fine."
Byakuya nodded and gesture her to get to the door. He wouldn't gave her the opportunity to shut the door behind him if he went first. The walk to the dining room was a silent one. He sensed her following him, but he also could tell she wasn't really happy about it. But she was in pain as well, he could tell by the look of her eyes. Why doesn't she take anything for it? He was going to address that topic after dinner.
When they were well seated at the table, servants came in with different dishes and drinks. Abby looked green for the moment, but they only thing she wanted was chocolate. This was her only cure for this. She glanced at Byakuya, seeing he already took his plate and was eating. But she really wasn't hungry. And she didn't want to start a new fight, so she filled up her plate and ate slowly.
Byakuya was satisfied when she ate something. But he still couldn't understand why he worried so much about her. Must be her… but he really has no answers about it. He looked sideways at her. He needed to protect her on Yamamoto's orders for the knowledge she possessed. Then why does she make him feel this way? He almost lost it earlier, being so close to her body and with her squirming around. Does she do it on purpose? He couldn't feel attractive to her, no way!
Abby glanced over at him. He was holding his hashi's in front of him without moving an inch. And there was a panicked look on his face. Abby frowned. "Are you alright?"
Byakuya came back out of his daze and blinked at her. "What are you doing to me?"
Abby looked confused. "Euh?"
He shook his head. "Never mind." He put the piece of food in his mouth. Abby found this strange. Then he said: "I have received a report from the General telling me that you are appointed to be my fukutaishou."
Abby swallowed down her food and nodded. "I know and I'm sorry."
Byakuya eyed her. "It was rather unexpected but… I don't mind." He said.
"You don't?"
He shook his head.
Abby smiled and inclined her head to him. "Well, thanks. But… I don't have a zanpakuto, you know. People are going to find that strange; a Lieutenant without one." She replied.
Byakuya was thinking. "Let me handle that."
She nodded. Then it was silent again. She wasn't hungry and put down her hashi and stared into space, not thinking about the pain in her belly. Bloody period! And sometimes she wished for chairs to sit in instead on her knees. But she switched position to sit on her butt anyway. Screw etiquette! Byakuya eyes her, but he didn't say anything. Maybe he understood her dilemma which she was glad about.
"Do you normally take something for the pain?" He asked her out of the blue.
Abby blinked at him. Since when was he concerned in her periods? Men don't even know what that was, but Abby nodded anyway. "Yeah, PerdoFemina or if I don't have any of that, I'll take Iboprofen."
Those words meant nothing to him, but he understood it was some kind of pain medications she used. "But I don't think I'll run to the nearest Apothecary, because there aren't any here in Soul Society and I'm not running all the way to the Fourth, just for my period." She laughed. "Don't worry. I can handle it. I guess…" She whispered the last sentence. "Can I go now?"
Byakuya nodded. Abby stood up. "Wait." Abby turned around and looked at him. He stood up and walked to her. She frowned. "We do not have these kind of medications of the one you spoke of. But I know a healing spell." Abby raised her eyebrows. "Hold still." He laid his hand on her stomach. Again so close contact. He looked into her eyes and Abby returned the favour. Suddenly a warm sensation spread through her belly and she jerked back. "Hold still."
"Sorry." She whispered. "I don't response well to others."
He nodded. She felt his Reiryoku and she reach out for it. It was warm and pleasant, she didn't expect it from him. At the same time, Byakuya felt the connection with hers and he was surprised how much power she had. It was addictive yet dangerous. Abby felt the pain go away and yet he never left her hand from her stomach. Ever after the pain was gone. Seconds went by and their eyes never left each other. Abby felt warm and fuzzy inside and the same counted for him.
"Euh… the pain is gone." She broke the silent.
Byakuya sighed and pulled back. Connection lost. "Feeling better?"
Abby touched her underbelly and nodded. "Thanks. It's better than Iboprofen." She smiled. "Well, I'm tired. Good night." She told him. Byakuya was silent, but inclined his head to her. Then she left the room.
Next morning, Abby followed Byakuya with bleary eyes. She didn't sleep well that night and she ended up in her inner world too much to count for. And someone was constantly calling her. That kept her awake the entire night. And not to mention that her head was exploding.
Kaoru left her a few things in the bathroom for her period and she still has to thank that woman for her help. If Byakuya had anything to say, well he didn't show it during breakfast. Besides, Abby was glad he was silent for once. The conversations last night was already weird to begin with. Especially, when Byakuya was concerned about her. Abby still couldn't wrap her mind around it.
When they entered their office, Abby made a beeline to her chair and crashed into it. Byakuya eyed her suspiciously. She buried her face in her hands and groaned. Now, he did looked up and wondered what was wrong this time. She couldn't be in pain now. That spell I used would last longer than that. He wondered. But she massaged her temples and her eyes was closed. He arched an eyebrow. He knew that sensation.
"Headache?"
Abby looked at him and nodded. "This is really a killer one. Don't mind me… I'll manage."
He nodded. There was also something else he needed to give her. He glanced over the table. A long package was lying on top of it, just as he ordered. "There's a katana for you on the table." he said.
Abby blinked and looked at the table in question. It was indeed true. She gave him a look. "It's for you until you receive your own zanpakuto."
She stood up and went over to it. She pulled away the wrapping and stared at the sword. It was a shining black saya with decorated flowers on it. The handle was emerald green, along with the cord. The guard was round, but it has a shape of a flower inside. Above all it was a beautiful katana. Abby looked over at Byakuya who was watching her with interest.
"Where did you get this?"
Byakuya shrugged. "It was laying in the armoury at my estate collecting dust." Abby nodded slowly, then turned her attention back at the katana on the table. "It's yours for the time being." Abby couldn't believe her eyes. A present? From Kuchiki Byakuya?
Abby smiled. "Do all your Lieutenants get presents from you?"
"Pff, no."
"Oh, don't I feel special." She gave him a warm smile. She reached out to take the katana. As soon her fingertips touched the black sleek scabbard, an electrifying jolt bit her. Abby let out a pained cry and retreated her hand. Byakuya looked up. Abby looked at her hand. There were visible wounds, but she eyed the katana warily. "Euh, Byakuya? Are you sure this is a normal Katana?"
"Yes, why?" He was confused.
"Well, it kind of bit me." Abby explained, eying the sword. Byakuya frowned, not understanding why and went to her.
He picked up the katana. Nothing happened. He drew the sword. Still nothing happened. The blade was shining and the edge was very sharp. He sheathed the katana and gave her a look.
"I'm not making this up." She told him.
"There's nothing wrong with it."
"Well, it bit me."
Byakuya shook his head and handed her the sword. Abby sighed. Maybe it was her imagination. But as soon she took the katana, it lighted up and green lightning crawled over the sword. Abby bit back a scream, but she couldn't let go. The pain went through bone and mare. She stated to fall backwards, closed her eyes and waited for the hard impact, but instead she felt soft. She opened her eyes in confusion. A blue sky, a sandy beach… What in the name?
"What took you so long!" A female voice ran out.
Abby sat up and turned around. Her eyes widened at the figure in front of her. She was stunning. She has long white hair, piercing green eyes and she was dressed in a blue kimono (decorated with flowers) fit to fight. Her katana was stashed in her obi that was knotted in a form of a white lotus and she was wearing elegant boots. She was wearing also a dark blue legging. She was an imposing figure.
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "You don't know? I've been calling you for some time already!"
Abby's eyes widened. The voice from last night! Abby jumped up. Before she could ask anything, the woman (or Zanpakuto spirit as Abby managed to put two and two together) advanced at her.
"Draw your sword, Abigail. I'm going to fight you!" She pulled her own katana when she said that.
Abby swallowed hard and shakily drew hers. "But I don't know how to use one!" she shouted.
"Your bad!" Then she stroke.
Byakuya caught her before she touched the floor. She was laying in his arms, without response. If Byakuya was panicking, he defiantly was showing it this time. It did saw the lightning which caught him off guard, but before he could something to prevent it, it was already too late to stop her from touching it. Byakuya mentally slapped himself for his carelessness.
"Abigail." He tried to rouse her. But she didn't gave a sign. He tried to take the katana from her, but it bit him, so he left it alone. But he had no clue what was happening to her. Senbonzakura? He called his spirit. The zanpakuto answered back. Can't you get inside her?
I can, but something is blocking me, Master. He replied. Byakuya frowned. Her face was peaceful. But something was going on.
What is going on? He asked, more to himself. Senbonzakura shook his head. He had no answers as well. Byakuya grasped. A tiny red line, seeping with a bit blood, appeared on her cheek. Like a sword wound. He wiped it away. There was nothing he could do only holding her in his arms and wait.
Meanwhile…
The force of the blow shocked through her whole body. Abby put all her strength into the Katana she was holding but the Spirit was a bit stronger. The woman pushed down with her sword and Abby cried out. She was thrown away and felt hard on her back. She had only seconds to move away from her spot when the katana came crashing down. Abby rolled away and caught her breath. Jeezus! I'm dead if she keep up with this! Abby guarded herself, but the woman was just too fast for her and she already paid with blood.
The wound on her cheek stung, but Abby focused herself on the woman in front of her. "Do you want to kill me!?" She shouted. The White haired woman laughed.
"Of course, because if you can't defeat me where is the point in living?" She replied. Abby took a deep breath, she wasn't ready for this shit! The woman came at her again, sword pointing forwards. Abby stepped aside, striking down on the katana, but the woman turned around. The katana arched from above at her head. Abby jumped back, missing inches from her nose and stroke with an upwards slash at her opponent. The woman deflected her sword and the fight continued.
Abby wasn't a good swordsman, she only as seen the basics at Aikido. And that was it. She never used a katana in a real fight. The only thing she was good in was Taekwondo, but the woman didn't leave any openings for her to come in. Abby grunted in pain. The woman slashed her across the arm.
"Is that all you can do? I know you can fight, Abigail, but this is pathetic." She said to annoy her. Abby got angry.
"I thought zanpakuto spirits are kind to their owners!" Abby retorted back swinging her sword. The woman blocked it and they came together, nose to nose.
"I'm not just a spirit, I'm the manifestation of your soul, Abigail. You know what that means, do you?" She asked.
"Of course. But what I don't understand is why you are attacking me!" Abby growled back. The woman and Abby pushed forwards until the force pushed both of them back. Abby held the katana in front of her while the woman held hers at her side.
"The reason why I am attacking you is to see if you can handle me." She explained. She held the katana horizontally which the blade reflected the light. "I'm a special, as you are and both of us will be stronger. Once you managed to defeat me, we will be able to work together."
Abby was confused. "I don't get it!"
The woman smirked. "The only way to find out is the defeat me in battle, then everything will become clear to you. Use your instinct." Then she charged again.
Use my instinct? Abby blocked. What can I do? She dived under the sword. She and I are one and the same… could it be? Abby slashed at her, but the woman jumped away with a summersault. Abby started to remember yesterday with Unohana and about her weird ability. She has enough power to use it in a fight. Was that it what she means? She only has to use her imagination to manifest her Reiatsu and everything was possible. Magic… was like kido… only I just can conjure it to my will. The woman charged her again, katana flashing down.
She needed to protect herself.
The katana came down, but a blue shield stopped it. Abby was amazed. The woman was surprised and slashed out again. The blue shield stood firm against the katana. The white haired woman jumped back, waiting. Abby didn't let her. How about fire? Abby felt a warm sensation in her right hand spreading over to her sword, but she has to release it. She slashed horizontally with her katana and fire was shot from her sword. The woman jumped out of the way.
Abby grinned. Alright, I think I get the hand of this. She followed the woman in mid-air and thought about to set her on fire. And it just happened. The spirit woman screamed when she was caught in a firing blaze. Abby ran at her and slashed down with her sword. The spirit managed to get away in nick of time, but without being injured. Abby didn't stand still. She thought about immobilizing her. Something like restricting a person… The woman bit back a cry when she felt down on the ground. Abby could feel her, she had a connection with this spirit. She had her in her grasp now. Abby walked slowly at her opponent. The spirit woman couldn't move, except for her head. Abby held the tip of her katana on her throat.
"Do you yield?"
The woman nodded. "I yield. You have defeated me… I am so proud of you, Abby."
Abby let out a deep breath, sheathed her sword and demobilize her zanpakuto. The woman rose slowly, sheathing her own. All hostile emotions were gone. Abby gave her a smile. "Don't ever do that again."
"I will not, except for training of course." She replied in kind.
"Of course." Abby waited. "So, now what?"
The woman smiled. "Well, the only thing you need to know now is my name…"
Her name… Abby wondered. It was on the tip of her tongue. She stared at the woman in front of her. It couldn't be that easy… right? But Abby already knew the answer. She smiled.
"Byakuren."
The woman, Byakuren, smiled with all her heart. "What gave away?"
"The white lotus knot on you obi and…" Abby bit her lips. "Your name is almost like his."
Byakuren gave her a warm smile. "I am the reflection of your soul, Abby child. Your feelings are my feelings as well."
Abby nodded. "Should have known… But how come that when he touched that katana that you suddenly came out?"
"Because I kind of liked the look of that katana and the second reason was because you didn't possessed one. And because-"
"Byakuya gave it to me." Abby finished. Byakuren nodded. "Emotional attachment?"
Byakuren laughed. "Something like that. Now," She became serious, "Both of us have a very special ability. Do you remember Unohana tell you that you can absorb energy?" Abby nodded. "Well, it is the same with me, except differently."
"How different?"
"I am an unusual sword, because I don't possess my own shikai and bankai, but I absorb techniques of other zanpakutos if I meet them in battle." She explained.
Abby frowned. "Wait a second… you mean like being an empath, only without emotions?"
"No, everything has to do with emotions. You can call me an empathic zanpakuto type, because that's the gift we possess. And the only reason this is possible is because you have unlimited power at your being."
Abby shook her head. "It doesn't make any sense to me."
"Honey, do you not realise you are still alive and not dead."
"Euh?!"
Byakuren nodded. "You never went to Soul Society as a dead soul, you never used the right methods, and you were dropped here… In the flesh because of your unusual gift. Your Reirkoyu keeps you alive, keep your body alive."
"But how is this possible?"
"I'm not quite sure…" Byakuren shook her head. Then she looked up. "But all things considered, you have a powerful zanpakuto that can't tip no others."
Abby scratched her head. "Let me get this straight, I can copy others zanpakutos shikai and bakai and use them as well?"
Byakuren nodded. "Every release form has a certain emotion attached to it and it is that emotion we use to fight, even if the zanpakuto isn't near anymore. It will be saved in our memory."
"So, I only have to touch them with my zanpakuto to theirs and I can use it whenever I want?" Byakuren nodded. "Fuck me, that's some bad ass shit I have here." Abby said, unbelieving. Byakuren laughed.
"Even with that foul language, I agree." She replied. "Let's test it out, shall we." Abby looked up, confused. "Draw the katana." Abby did what she was asked to. "Now, remember when you had Senbonsakura in your hand and release it."
Abby looked dumb folded at her. But she didn't cross sword with Byakuya yet, then how can she use his shikai. Byakuren was waiting, so Abby concentrated. Here comes nothing. She focused on the moment she draw his sword for the first time to defend herself. Her Reirkoyu responded and she released.
"Chire."
The blade turned into many white pedals and whirled around her. Just like Senbonzakura. Abby was truly amazed. She used her mental connection with the pedals and it moved like she wanted too. Byakuren smiled at her. "Amazing, isn't it?"
Abby nodded and recalled the blade. "Outstanding!" Byakuren smiled. Abby returned the gesture. "By the why, can I call you Ren?"
The spirit blinked, but leered. "Sure, why not." Abby nodded.
Minutes ticked by and Byakuya started to get seriously worried. But then she grunted and shifted in his arms. He looked down at her, wiped away some stray hairs from her face and watched her eyes opened slowly. Green eyes stared at him and Abby smiled at him. Byakuya looked relieved seeing her awake. The wound on her cheek was gone, healed. Abby let go of the katana and caressed it. Then she looked back at him.
"I'm sorry." She said.
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
She pointed to the katana. "Because I can't return you this katana." Byakuya eyed the sword in her lap, still with raised eyebrow. "It turned out to be my zanpakuto."
Byakuya was surprised at her statement. Her Zanpakuto? How? It has been in his family for generations and it turned out into a zanpakuto. Was this even possible? And why his possessions? Byakuya shook his head. This will be and stay always a mystery with this woman.
"I had to fight her," Abby continued. He listened. "I had to defeat her in order to obtain her, but in the end I won. Even if I didn't know how to handle a sword." She looked back at him. "But it was worthwhile in the end."
Byakuya nodded. "Why did you have to fight her?" He never fought with his, only to reach bankai… but never for the first time.
"To understand her." Abby said. "She's a very special sword, but I rather keep her technique a secret, if you don't mind." Byakuya shook his head.
"She's yours." He replied. Abby smiled.
"Thanks, by the way; her name is Byakuren." Abby said. Byakuya whipped his head back at her. He already knows the name as well. This woman proceeds to amaze me. And he didn't miss the name comparison. Leave it all to her to come with something that blows his mind.
Abby noticed the close contact with him and she blushed slightly. Not that she minded it, but that Byakuya hold her so intimately which was something much unspoken for him. She sighed and sat up. Byakuya came out of his own thoughts and helped her up. She stared at her Zanpakuto and felt cheerful. She looked over at him.
"Well, now I am a proper Lieutenant." She shoved her katana inside her obi and presented herself to her Captain. "How do I look, taishou?"
Byakuya nodded, satisfied even with this deferent approach of obtaining a zanpakuto. Abby gave him a warm smiled and seated herself at her desk. "Oh, even my headache is gone." She pointed to her head. Now, that she was relieved from the pain, she started to work.
Byakuya retook his seat and followed her point. They worked in silence for the next few hours until break. When they were ready for lunch, Byakuya presented Abby her fukutaishou badge. She stood still while he put it on her left arm. Abby stared at it and gave him a smile.
"Now you are complete." He told her.
She laughed. "Only you would say something like that, Byakuya." He gave her a glare. "Oh, my bad, Kuchiki taishou." She corrected herself. Byakuya shook his head when he passed her. Abby followed two passes behind him and together they walked through the corridor. And that was the beginning of a beautiful week.
To be continued…
There! It was a slow beginning… I hoped you have liked it. Next chapter is in the making. I hoped the spelling was okay?
See ya!
