Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach, Wheel of Time, or any of the creations from the great minds of Tite Kubo and Robert Jordan. I am merely a humble fan, molding their ideas into creations of my own in hopes of entertaining others. While I do own my OC's and ideas, I'm not making any money off em. So please, enjoy the story, but don't sue me. XD
ARGH!! This chapter has given me a headache. Seriously. I completely rewrote it (the last half of it) last night. I'm sorry, Aes Sedai are just too damn cold and hard for me to write exactly in character so I'm taking my husbands advice. Don't kill me please. Suiren is a woman first, Aes Sedai second. Do let me know what you think. I apologize for taking so long to update this chapter. I've been angry with it. I sincerely hope everyone enjoys it and doesn't find Suiren to be too OOC for an Aes Sedai. Also hoping I did alright in keeping the boys in character.
Oh yes! Yesterday was Angil's 20th birthday! BOW TO HER! :D
Happy Birthday Angil!! -bows-
Many many thanks to my reviewers: WannaBeNinja (my master), Irish12345, Hazen S. Redfield and Jazzmaster. You guys are freakin AWESOME. Made me all warm and fuzzy with your reviews. Hazen, lemme know if I did better with Renji on this one. My hubby claims I did fine but I always second guess myself. Irish, the only questions I can answer without possibly ruining the story is no, male Soul Reapers are not going to be affected by the taint of the Dark One. I also do not foresee them making any trips to the world of the living. They've crossed enough worlds as is hehe. THANK YOU ALL!!
-takes a deep breath- Ok...read on. I'm gonna go hide behind my master now.
Chapter 8 – Restraint
When Suiren awoke, she found herself once again in the arms of her rescuer. A servant was gently slipping her shoes off and placing them on the genkan. Byakuya turned to look at her when she shifted, blank gray eyes searching her face.
"Are you alright, Suiren Sedai?" he asked politely.
"Yes, I am fine, just a bit baffled. How is it I am in your arms again?"
Behind them there was a snort of laughter. "You aren't the only one who's confused" declared Renji.
Byakuya carefully placed her feet back on the ground. The servant silently removed her cloak and folded it, placing it on a shelf above her silken slippers.
"You do not remember then?" He asked. She shook her head, looking from him to Renji.
As they began to walk down the hall, Byakuya explained everything at length. The strange shadow around her, its mannerisms and everything it said. When he finished there was a bright smile on her face, far from what he had expected. His puzzlement must have shown as she hastened to explain her reaction.
"It seems I have a new talent. Amusing at that, Alindrah is a Dreamer and I apparently have the talent of Foresight. A pity I did not discover this before these wretched events."
"Foresight?" Byakuya asked at the same as Renji said "a Dreamer?"
Suiren nodded and indulged them with a lengthy explanation for once. "Many Aes Sedai discover a special skill that they may call their own. These are called 'talents.' They can vary dramatically, some are common, others extremely rare. A Dreamer has many prophetic dreams that speak of what is to come. An Aes Sedai who can foretell the future does just that. Both can be difficult to interpret and can easily be taken many ways. That is the trouble with them."
"The last great Aes Sedai that could foretell was Gitara Moroso Sedai, the Amrylin Seat at the time. Though, they say Elaida Sedai has the ability as well. She remains aware when she does so, when all others on record do not."
Idly she tapped one finger on her chin, pausing a moment. The look on her face suggested she did not place much faith in Elaida's abilities.
"The talent of Dreaming is extremely rare, the last known Dreamer was Corianin Nedeal Sedai. She died nearly four hundred and sixty seven years ago. I believe Alindrah was able to receive this talent primarily because she is Aiel. All Aiel Wise Ones can travel into the Unseen World of Dreams and she is no exception. I am truly surprised that she did not see something as life changing as this in her dreams."
She halted, brow furrowing as a new possibility formed within her mind. 'Or perhaps she did but did not discover the meaning of them until far too late.'
"So, what does all the stuff you said have to do with the future?" Renji asked, leaning down towards her as they walked along.
"The Light help me, I do not know. The only thing that made some sense to me was what I told you."
Renji smiled and leaned in further, eager to hear her interpretation. "Well, what do you think it means?" he prodded.
Sliding her eyes to the right, she looked at him. "My guess would be that the 'maiden of the dragon' is Alindrah. She was once a member of an elite scouting group comprised only of women known as Far Dareis Mai, the Maidens of the Spear."
The Aiel also were known as the People of the Dragon, but such a name was kept secret from most. From what Alindrah suggested, only the Wise Ones and Clan Chiefs were aware of this name. Technically, Alindrah never should have shared that information with Suiren, but they were first-sisters. They withheld nothing from one another.
Straightening, Renji clasped his hands behind his head "What does she have to do with me?"
Suiren smiled, her eyes returning to focus on Byakuya's back. "If I said you would be bound to her heart, that would normally imply you would be her warder. However, Alindrah has always refused the idea of a warder. She was ever ready to remind me that one Aiel is worth twenty warriors. The fact that you wield a sword would also make such a thing improbable. Her people despise swords. They refuse to touch them and are quick to show their disapproval to those who use them."
Renji snorted "She wouldn't like anyone here then. Everyone wields a sword, though they are called zanpaktou here."
Suiren gave him a mysterious smile "Perhaps you are destined to fall in love with her. Or perhaps she with you?"
Renji reddened visibly "I doubt that! Besides, you said one of two men and I don't share."
In front of them, Byakuya finally spoke. "I may have understood a small piece of it" he said quietly.
Suiren perked up and moved to walk along side him, inclining her head. "Is that so? Please, explain."
He stopped for a moment, tucking his hands into the long sleeves of his kimono. "Two cranes with wings spread adorn the Kuchiki clan crest. I do not know what that means in reference to the rest of what you said though."
Suiren mused over that piece of information. "That is intriguing. The red eagle of old…hmm. Did your family crest ever change?"
He shook his head and continued walking "No."
She exhaled slowly, wrapped up in her thoughts. "I need to write this down. I was blessed with this talent for a reason, I must determine what it means." 'Light! I need to curb my tongue! I'm as chatty as a bleeding Novice, all over this new talent. Blood and ashes, why could I not have been granted this gift sooner?!'
:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:
In what Suiren took to be the sitting room, the three of them sat after enjoying a delicious meal. Renji casually leaned against one wall with his legs crossed, his sword propped up against his shoulder and his hands tucked into his large sleeves. He reminded her of her warder almost. Though he appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, he looked as though he could be on his feet with his sword drawn in mere seconds.
Byakuya sat beside Suiren quietly sipping tea, his sword lying on the ground next to him. It seemed so rude to have it sitting out here, but it would do them no good if he left it elsewhere when the enemy struck. For the sake of his charge he broke the usual code of conduct and allowed them to carry their weapons with them at all times.
Suiren frowned into her cup now, her tea had grown cold. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, annoyance flashed in hers mixed with what could have been humiliation.
"May I access the Source?"
It both grated and disgusted her to have to ask. The only time she had not been freely able to draw on the source was when she was a Novice. Even then she could if she wanted to, it would just earn her a day in the kitchen scouring pots.
He nodded to her and she felt the block vanish, allowing her to submerge herself in Saidar. Quietly he watched a glow surround her, he could feel the pleasure it gave her and it puzzled him. Was it the power itself that made her feel that way or just being given permission to call upon it?
She used a single thread of fire to reheat the tea in her cup along with the pot and looked to him hesitantly.
"Do you need your tea warmed?"
So that's what she was doing…"If it is no trouble."
She extended her hand to him, pointing at the cup. He could see what looked like a thin red string extending from her fingertips towards him. After a moment he could feel the heat coming off of his tea, steam rising one again. 'Well that's handy at least. It seems she controls quite a wide variety of things with her power. Interesting.'
"Thank you" he said softly, bowing his head slightly to her.
She sighed as she released her hold on the One Power. The euphoric feeling faded and her senses returned to normal. It always made her feel dull when the power left her. Her eyes stared off for a moment, the horrors of the past twenty four hours of her life finally sinking in.
"Are you alright, Suiren Sedai?" Byakuya asked politely.
Renji's eyes opened a moment and he searched her face now, wondering what he had missed. She blinked, both startled and perplexed by the question.
"Sa souvraya niende misain ye, dai shan Kuchiki."
The two men expressed their confusion at her shift in speech differently. Byakuya's head tilted to the side and his brow arched.
Renji, however, bluntly asked "What the hell did you just say?"
His Captain shot him a warning look.
"Well if you aren't gonna ask I will." he said stubbornly, ignoring the threat in Byakuya's eyes.
Suiren blinked again and shook her head in confusion. "Is there something wrong with what I said?"
The two men turned their attention back to her. Byakuya responded politely "Not exactly, we just did not understand the language. I did hear my name. You called me 'dai shan Kuchiki'. What does that mean?"
Her ivory cheeks showed hints of a blush for brief moment before she recovered. "Dai shan means 'battle lord' in the old tongue." 'Sheriam Sedai always said that my outbursts of Old Tongue were the result of a past life lived. It would be nice if I was aware when I was speaking in that language…The Wheel weaves as it wills I suppose' she thought to herself.
Renji threw back his head and laughed, causing the slight blush to return, along with a look of annoyance. "You certainly are an unusual woman."
Byakuya glared at him again "If you cannot speak politely Lieutenant Abarai, then do not speak at all."
Turning back to Suiren he gave her an apologetic look. "Please forgive his rudeness, he is an uncouth commoner. Would you mind translating the rest of it for me?"
Behind him, Renji's eyes shot daggers into his Captain's back. 'Noble bastard…always has a stick up his ass. I wasn't trying to be rude.'
"I am lost in my own mind, battle lord Kuchiki. That is what I said." The spots of color had left her face, allowing her to return to the normally calm and unrevealing visage she usually kept.
"As for your Lieutenant, he does not offend me. My life has not been a sheltered one. Alindrah and I are first-sisters and she is Aiel, far from royalty. Why even my own warder was…" she trailed off, her teacup suddenly becoming very interesting. She wanted to excuse herself but remembered that she was attached to him. Solace was something she would not soon know.
Yet again the change in her mood was not unnoticed. Inwardly she chastised herself for being so blatantly obvious. It seemed she could hardly keep her emotions in check since arriving in this strange world, nor could she seem to curb her tongue. 'Light above, this world is unraveling me faster than balefire unravels threads of the Pattern.'
"Why are you upset that he's gone? That jerk is the reason you're chained up like that."
Her already thin resolve shattered along with her temper at Renji's callous words. They were true, she knew that, but she had no need of him reminding her. Eyes blazing, she clutched her hands into fists and glared at Renji.
"What do you know of betrayal and loss?!" She snapped, causing the red head to flinch at the sudden harshness in her voice.
"Cringing sand lapper" she muttered with disgust before continuing in a louder tone.
"The loss of a Gaidin to any Aes Sedai is an unimaginably painful experience. Their soul is bound to our own so when they die a part of us dies as well."
Her voice cracked and a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. "I will suffer from his loss regardless of his deeds. Light…to have been betrayed by the very man who has been my brother to battles for so long. It is unheard of!" Her fist slammed into the table, sloshing her tea.
"Warders are meant to protect Aes Sedai with their lives…"
She fought the urge to hug herself tightly. The rage was gone, leaving only an unfathomable pain. "I cannot even mourn in private" she whispered, turning her head away from the two men. Shamed by her outburst, allowing her true feelings to show and further shamed by the very fact that she could no longer hide them as well as she hoped.
Renji shifted uncomfortably, regretting his thoughtless behavior and baffled by her unusual insults. 'Why the hell does she keep calling me strange names? First 'child of the sand', now a 'cringing sand lapper'? What the hell is that supposed to mean?'
Byakuya sat speechless during her tirade. Her pain was nearly tangible. So great, it made him feel the loss was his own. He felt an overwhelming urge to try to soothe her pain. That he would even think such a thing caused him further distress. 'The sooner that collar is removed, the better. It is addling my brain, subjecting me to every last emotion coursing through this strange woman.' The rustle of Renji's clothing caught his attention, breaking his train of thought.
Tearing his eyes from her, he grabbed his sword and stood abruptly. Pointing to the door he coldly ordered the other man out "Leave us!"
Renji quickly stood and rushed out the door, bowing and muttering apologies. "Gomen nasai."
:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:
Once he had gone, Byakuya slipped his sword back into his obi and turned to Suiren. He could feel her struggling for control of her emotions. He was having just as much trouble dealing with so many of hers at once. It was like an overwhelming tidalwave. Emotions were useless in his opinion, but at this moment he did not think it wise to tell her that.
He was not used to feeling anything at all, he had rid himself of such things as a young man. This was an entirely different arena for him. 'This woman is suffering so greatly. I should do something…' he thought, politely averting his eyes from her sorrow.
He extended his hand down to her which she accepted after a moment. Gently he pulled her to her feet, clasping her arm to support her. She was trembling, her fingers gripping her skirts so tightly they were turning white. It felt like everything was tumbling down around her. Having him witness this breakdown only shamed her further.
Not trusting her to walk, he picked her up and transported her to his bedchambers. She protested weakly, claiming she was perfectly able to use her own two feet. He paid her no mind. Upon entering the room he was grateful to see that the servants had already prepared a spare futon for her to sleep on, placing it a few feet away from his own. It was still not very proper, but he had little choice on the matter.
He knelt beside her bed, laying her down carefully. She hardly seemed to notice, curling herself into a tight ball and squeezing her eyes shut. Though he could feel her need for solitude, he could do little to help her achieve it. The long, silvery cord that connected them prevented him from going far from her side just as much as his orders did.
The pain radiating through the young woman reminded him much of his own when his beloved Hisana died. It had nearly broken him to lose her, she was everything to him. Even half a century later, she was still constantly on his mind.
Stepping back, he pulled his eyes away from the raven haired beauty and tried to ignore the catastrophic feeling off loss pouring through the a'dam. He would have expected her to be in tears by now, but she still battled them back. 'A strong woman, even when tormented by the loss of everything she knew, everything she loved, she struggles to hold back her own feelings.'
The minutes passed in silence. Byakuya trying to ignore what he could not. Suiren trying to kill what would not die. After what seemed like an eternity passed, He stood and moved to a cabinet that lay against the wall near her. Pulling it open, he retrieved a bottle of the finest saké along with two cups. It certainly wasn't a method he would have ever chosen before, but one again there were few options available. If he could not stop her pain from reaching him, he would dull it with alcohol. With any hope, it would help dull hers as well.
Filling the two cups, he offered her the first. She had been watching him quietly, curious as to what was in the strange jug he retrieved from the cabinet. After a moment's hesitation, she accepted, pushing herself up on the futon. Peering into the cup, her face crinkled slightly in confusion. It looked like water to her. She flicked a glance up to find him leaning against the wall, already consuming his drink. With a shrug, she brought it to her lips and took a small sip. Her eyes widened when the liquid poured past her lips and onto her tongue. It seared her mouth, creating a warming sensation wherever it touched. 'It's alcohol?'
Byakuya watched her reactions with mild interest. He had succeeded in taking her mind off her troubles, for a moment at least. She was genuinely surprised to discover that the drink was not what it seemed. It did not take her long to understand the purpose in it, as she soon threw the cup back, draining it completely.
It was his turn to be surprised now. She certainly did not seem the type to drink. He was still casually sipping his first cup and she was ready for a second. He did little more than arch a brow as she rose and moved towards him, extending the cup towards him in a silent request. Acquiescing, he refilled the cup for her. Again, she downed it in a matter of seconds. His brow rose higher.
"I do not believe it is wise for you to continue in that manner" he began, preparing to warn her of the consequences of her behavior. A murderous glare from the slender woman was enough to bring his words to a grinding halt.
"I have every intention of being juicier than a fiddler's whelp within the hour and not a stitch less!"
He blinked in surprise. Already he was seeing flaws in this plan of his. His intention was to calm her with one or two drinks, blur her mind at bit as well as his own. Not to completely intoxicate her. 'I don't even want to know how that will affect me. I may well regret this.'
She reached for the jar when she realized he was not going to pour a third drink for her. Deftly, he moved it out of her reach. With a low growl of annoyance, she set down her cup and reached for it again. With little effort she was outmaneuvered a second time.
"You are being most childish" she said, placing her hands on her hips, giving him a sharp look.
"And you are not behaving very much like a noble" he replied coolly.
Her gaze darkened. Oh, he had a point, but did he really expect her to behave as a queen and Aes Sedai for every second of the day? Certainly he could understand, after the trauma she had been through. She was entitled to her privacy, as much as she was entitled to be herself behind closed doors. Her hands clenched into fists at her waist. If only she could use the power, she could fetch that jar from his hands, whether he liked it or not.
Byakuya watched her lips thin at his words. Frustration and fury rolled through to him in towering waves. He very nearly felt chastised by the fierce look she was giving him. Like a mother scolding her child. She certainly looked as though she would like to switch him, with her fists clenched together at her waist like that.
"Would you kindly refill my cup?" she said in sharp, clipped tones. It wasn't a question, more like a demand. Her tone dared him to deny her.
A smile tugged at his lips. She was quite ravishing, standing there like that. Such fierceness, such beauty. The tiny smile fell when he realized what he was thinking. This woman was his charge, his guest, and above all, not Hisana. How could he even consider another woman beautiful without tainting the memories of his beloved wife?
"Oh for the love of Light! How long to you intend to stand there gaping at me?" she said, throwing her hands up and moving towards him.
Her hand was around the jar before he could move it. The liquid sloshed with the container as she attempted to wrest it from his grasp.
"Wool headed fool" she grumbled "How dare you treat me this way. If it weren't for this bloody collar, I'd have you hanging by your heels!"
"Is that so?" he responded, refusing to loosen his grip. "I did not realize Aes Sedai were the type to fight over a bottle of saké."
Suiren froze in place, staring blankly up at him. Here she was, Aes Sedai and heir to the throne of Saldaea, brawling like a farmgirl during harvest. The realization was enough to make her head hang had pride not forced it to remain stiff. Why was she even so desperate to have it? 'The memories. Oh Light, the gaping hole where he used to be. Why Roarke? Why?'
He saw a shimmer cross those emerald eyes and realized she had come full circle. The pain came back with renewed force, hitting him square in the chest. She wasn't glaring at him anymore. In fact, it was almost as though she was staring straight through him.
Slowly, he extracted the saké jug from her grasp, placing it and his cup beside hers atop the cabinet. Her hands fell limply to her side but she did not seem to notice. For a moment her lip trembled, but was quickly tightened into a thin line.
"Perhaps you should sit?" he said, motioning towards her futon.
Numbly, she nodded her head. Rather than moving to where he indicated, she slowly knelt to the floor in front of him, placing her hands on her lap and clasping them together tightly. With a sigh, he followed suit, leaning back against the wall.
Watching her, he felt a sharp tug within his soul. She was a beautiful woman, even in her current disheveled state. Her heart and soul lay bare before him, a fresh wound still bleeding profusely. She could not have known how clearly her emotions were relayed to him. 'As well she does not' he thought. That would only make her feel worse.
He sighed again. It had to be the a'dam, but he could not just coldly sit by and watch this woman fall to pieces. She was barely holding herself together. 'I am not without a heart' he said to himself, almost as a reminder of sorts. He may have been lacking in outward or even inward displays of emotion, but he was not dead. Well, not exactly. Reaching forward, he took her by the hands. Her body tensed and her eyes came into focus for a moment.
"Come here" he said quietly.
Her lips partly slightly as she comprehended his offer. 'Comfort? He wishes to bring me comfort?' Her questions echoed in her mind, not completely registering. The saké had dulled her mind some, causing her thoughts to become sluggish. Comfort. Warmth. Solace. Her brain registered these as things she wanted, no, needed. Nodding again, she let him pull her forward, into his arms.
A sigh slipped past her lips as his arms enveloped her. It did feel nice, even if he was a complete stranger. She let herself pretend it was Alindrah comforting her, it was easier that way. Better than the truth of the matter. 'Perhaps this man is not so bad as I thought.'
:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:v:
Additional Info:
Genkan – a vestibule just inside the main entry of a Japanese house
Far Dareis Mai– Maidens of the Spear. An Aiel warrior society which admits women only. They do not marry or keep children so long as they are inside the society. If a Maiden chose to do so, they must give up their spear permanently. "You may belong to no man, nor may any man belong to you, nor any child. The spear is your lover, your child, and your life."
Gaidin– (lit) brother to battles, also known as warders. Men bound to Aes Sedai, to serve and protect them with their lives. The warder bond allows them to heal quickly, go long periods without food, water or sleep and the ability to sense the taint of the Dark One from some distance. So long as the warder lives, his Aes Sedai will know how far he is. When he dies, she will know the moment and manner of it. Most Ajah's of Aes Sedai believe in bonding only one man, though the Green Ajah believe an Aes Sedai may bond as many as she wishes. Only those of the Red Ajah refuses to bond to a warder.
Gomen nasai – I am sorry; forgive me
-is still hiding-
So what's the verdict? Are you ready to throw something at me?
(gonna have to go through master first...)
I hated this chapter. Nothing worse than decribing the feelings of two people
who barely show them. Ugh. I need some saké now!!
By the way, if you want something lighter, check out my other story, Children of the Stars. I looooove writing that one. More freedom /nod. WoT is HARD! Nothing like a good challenge though. Be sure to tackle me with your reviews. Just make sure I land on something soft, kay?
I think the next chapter is action packed. Perhaps that will make up for this one? :D
