Skeleneko's Note: This isn't my story. I have permission from Twilight Countess (Amy) to repost this. If you like this story be sure to look out for her book "Eris"!
Senbonzakura
Chapter Eight: The Party
Hisana's P.O.V.
It was a party unlike any that Hisana had ever been to. Not that she had many to judge from, but still…
She strode into the ballroom at Byakuya's side. She heard several murmurs behind fans.
Hisana tried to ignore them and focus on Byakuya. She was there to be a pillar of moral support for him, not be tested by a bunch of vain, conceded, two-faced…
"Kuchiki-san," an older man with grayish hair strode up to them. His eyes darted curiously to Hisana before returning to Byakuya. "I would like to personally congratulate you of your rise to the title of Captain."
"Thank you, Sao Feng" said Byakuya impassively.
"Hello, Kuchiki-sama…" said a sultry voice. Behind Sao Feng was a young woman, but with a similar facial structure, no doubt a relative of some sort. "I also would like to give my congratulations as well…"
"You too kind, Sao Fuyumi," Byakuya greeted the woman mechanically.
"Well, Kuchiki-sama, I'll leave you to take care of my grand-daughter. There are a few other people that I must speak with."
Hisana sniffed disdainfully. She could just smella set up. Sao Feng left, glancing at Hisana with a slight frown as he did so.
Sao Fuyumi was the personification of the aristocratic woman. Wong Hanako was nothing compared to her. Fuyumi wore a red kimono as well, but hers was decorated with an intricate phoenix that rose from the flames at the trim of her dress. Her obi was black and she had a matching fan. Her hair was pinned up, but longer hair spilled out of the circular bun all the way to her waist.
"Kuckiki-sama, would you please introduce me to your companion," asked Fuyumi sweetly, her mouth covered by her fan.
"Hello," Hisana waved her hand in front of Fuyumi's face. "I'm right her. I don't think you need Byakuya to be a messenger boy if you just want to know my name."
Fuyumi paused for a moment, eyeing Hisana's messy hair. "Sometimes…" said Fuyumi, her tone rising in the fake sweetness, "…the smartest remark is silence."
Hisana grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing servant. She took a sip and swallowed slowly.
"What better advice to follow than your own," Hisana said. Sao Fuyumi narrowed her eyes, but then noticed the zanpakuto that clashed visibly with Hisana's elegant clothes.
Mameha had insisted that she not wear it, but after hearing her soul slayer speak for the first time, Hisana refused to be parted with it.
"What division are you in, Miss…?" Fuyumi settled to ask.
"Shiba," said Hisana, thinking of the first name that popped into her brain. "Shiba Hisana of the 13th Division."
"Shiba?" repeated Fuyumi. "Funny, I was led to believe the once noble Shiba family had deteriorated long ago."
"Well, there are still some of us out there," said Hisana matter-of-factly.
"Thirteenth Division, you say?" said Fuyumi. "That's means that Kuchiki-sama was your lieutenant, right?"
"Yes, I learned so much from him," Hisana raised her glass to Byakuya. "I owe this man everything…"
Hisana thought she saw a flicker of emotion on his face, but it was gone in an instant.
"She gives me too much credit, as usual," said Byakuya indifferently.
"Probably," said Hisana, chuckling as she took another sip.
Fuyumi looked in between the two, her lips thinning.
"Right, Lady Shiba…" Fuyumi began.
"Countess," Hisana pretended to correct, just to see what reaction she would get.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, Countess Shiba…" Hisana ignored the emphasis on her fake title. "Just how exactly are you…?"
But before Hisana could continue weaving the thread of lies she started, she was suddenly smothered by a pink haori.
"Hisana-chan!" said the easy-going voice of Kyōraku Shunsui, hugging Hisana from behind.
"Be careful, Taicho, I don't think she can breathe," said his lieutenant, Ise Nanao, carrying a large book under her arm.
The pink-clad captain lessened the contact by simply holding Hisana's hand. "Kuchiki-taicho, you wouldn't mind if I stole Countess Shiba for a dance or two, would you?"
Hisana's eyes widened and she looked at Byakuya. He had the icy façade, but Hisana could tell he was amused by Hisana's present situation.
"It is up to her," said Byakuya finally, giving Hisana a look which she took to mean,
"Don't dig yourself in a deeper hole."
Hisana was led onto the dance floor. Once she and Shunsui had matched the beat of the music he whispered, "Countess Shiba, Hisana-chan?"
"I know, I know, it was dumb," whispered Hisana. "But I couldn't just say 'Hi, I'm a gypsy that Ukitake-taicho took in.'"
"No, I suppose not, but you seem to be making a lot of enemies," said Shunsui.
"Yeah, just because I don't let them boss me around," Hisana said heatedly.
Shunsui chuckled. "That's what I love about you and my lovely Nanao-chan, such spirit."
"And how goes Operation: Woo Nanao-chan?" asked Hisana.
"It's a work in progress," answered Shunsui vaguely.
"No improvement at all, huh?"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to try and melt the icy exterior of someone like her?" asked Shunsui.
Hisana paused. "Yes, I do…"
The song ended and Hisana and Shunsui went in different directions. Hisana strolled out to the gardens she had been hours before. It was nighttime by now, the pathway was now lit by torches.
She wasn't walking for long when she felt the pulse of a reiatsu. She gripped the hilt of her katana.
"Who's there?" she demanded.
"Oops, sorry, didn' mean ta frighten ya…"
Author's Note: Guess who…
