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 Nine: The Party (Part II)

Hisana's P.O.V.

"Oops, sorry, didn' mean ta frighten ya…"

A tall figure in Shinigami robes emerged from the shadows. He had silver hair and his eyes were squinted. He smiled at her through the torchlight.

"Wha'cha be doin' all by your lonesome?" he asked, his smile never leaving his face.

Hisana smirked. "I could ask you the same thing." Her eyes found the badge he wore on his arm.

"Wait, I know you. You're the lieutenant of the Fifth Division, aren't you?"

His grin widened, if that were possible, and he gave a little bow. "Ichimaru Gin."

"That's not fair," said Hisana. "You got to wear your uniform while I had to be stuffed into all of this," she picked at the obi. "I swear my waist must be four inches less than what it should be."

Ichimaru chuckled at this. "You certainly ain't like the other nobles, are ya?"

"I'm not a noble," said Hisana firmly.

"Eh?" said Gin. "Everyone saw ya come in wit' Kuchiki-taicho, ya must be someone important…"

"Nope," said Hisana. "I was once a gypsy from Rukongai. Kuchiki-taicho used to be my lieutenant."

"So, why are you out here, anyway?" asked Hisana, trying to drive the conversation away from Byakuya.

"I asked ya first," said Ichimaru.

"Gin."

Bothof them turned to see a man with a glasses and a captain's haori walking up to them, "I was wondering where you got to, Gin."

"Ya know me, Taicho, I never get involved in politics." said Gin, still smiling.

The man turned his attention to Hisana. She couldn't see his eyes through the white gleam in his glasses.

"And who might your friend be?" he asked, making his way towards her. Seriously, people were having trouble talking to her directly tonight.

"I'm Hisana, Taicho," she said, not knowing his name.

"Hisana, such a beautiful name…" He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Hisana shivered. It was so different from Byakuya. Byakuyahad a cold face, but warm touch. This man was the opposite, with a warm smile and lips like ice. She saw no reason to distrust his kind face and that was what worried her. Hisana had a sudden feeling of being lulled into a false sense of security.

"I'm Aizen Sōsuke, Captain of the Fifth Division.," said Aizen-taicho. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance."

"Why, Taicho, I didn' know ya went for the noble women," commented Gin.

Aizen-taicholooked over at Gin, conveying something with him silently.

Hisana took this as her chance of escape. "It's an honor as well, Aizen-taicho," she bowed. "But I must speak with Ukitake-taicho, excuse me."

It took every piece of restraint in Hisana to not sprint from the scene. She hastily stepped back into the party. She scanned the room for Byakuya, but he was nowhere in sight. To her utmost displeasure, Hisana found the familiar figure of Wong Hanako striding up to meet her. Hanako was followed by her two lackies from the afternoon.

"Ah, we meet again, Hanako-sama," said Hisana, giving an over exaggerated bow. "For what do I owe the pleasure?"

Hanako gave Hisana a fake smile. "Listen, I think we got on the wrong foot earlier today."

"Well, I think we did too," said Hisana. "But I appreciate your apology."

"Apology?" Hanako laughed. "Who said anything about an apology? I was merely saying that…"

"Please, just don't talk anymore, okay? It's only going to upset me," said Hisana plainly before walking away. Hisanamade her way toward the thirty foot long buffet table. She picked up what she hoped was sushi and popped it into her mouth. Maybe if she stayed here, no one would bother her. Lady Luck was not with her tonight.

"So, how did you do it?" said a voice beside her. Hisana looked to see two women standing before her. The bluntness of the girl's voice told Hisanathat this was not someone of noble birth. These two women were courtesans, probably from Rukongailike her, but because of their lack of spiritual power, they slithered their way to the elite class by having sex with some duke or another.

"How'd I do what?" asked Hisana distastefully. There were many prostitutes in Inuzuri. Hisana knew why they did it, but it didn't stop her from disliking them. Never had Hisana stooped so low for money.

"How did you break the ice burg that is Kuchiki Byakuya?" said the other woman.

"No matter what you told Lady Sao, we knew that you were a nobody the minute you walked through that door," said the first courtesan. "Yet, here you have ruffled the feathers of many of Byakuya's admirers."

"Both the concubines and the noble women have tried to get his attention for years, but all their efforts have been fruitless. What did you do, deliver some paperwork to the 13th Division and speak to him in private…"

Hisana gripped tightened on her plate of food. "Not every woman uses your type of currency."

"Well, it doesn't matter now," said the courtesan. "Byakuya-sama will be very busy now that he's a captain. I doubt you'll ever see him up close again after tonight."

The realization hit Hisana like a ton of bricks. She had been so caught up with being supportive that she forgot the time and responsibility that came with being a captain. It was obvious that the two of them would drift apart.

Hisanawalked briskly away from the ballroom and down a hallway, with no idea where she was going.

Hisanastopped and leaned against a screen door that was decorated with a detailed sakura tree.

"Stop being so selfish,"Hisana thought. "You must do what is best for Byakuya-sama. You'll have to let go. Besides, you don't deserve someone like Byakuya after you left your own sister."

"There you are."

Hisana looked up.

"Byakuya-sama," she said, straitening up. "You finally were able to ditch Lady Sao."

"Yes," said Byakuya. "She wouldn't stop asking about you, Countess Shiba."

A drop of sweat slid down Hisana's neck.

"Sorry about that, Byakuya-sama. I just sort of panicked and spouted out the first name that came to mind. They seem like the type to hunt someone down, so I thought it would be better if they didn't know my surname."

"You were not unwise to lie to her," said Byakuya. "They take the greatest pleasure in ruining their enemies' reputation."

"Sorry if I embarrassed you with my not-so-noble manners," said Hisana.

Byakuya took a step closer so their bodies were mere inches apart. "On the contrary, you handled Lady Sao's verbal attacks quite eloquently. You will go far if your zanpakuto is as sharp as your tongue."

Hisana's cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink at Byakuya's praise. It was so unfair, she didn't want to let go of him. Suddenly Hisana wrapped her arms around Byakuya's torso and hugged him tightly. She felt Byakuya stiffened in surprise.

"I'm gonna miss you, Byakuy-sama," Hisana mumbled into his chest. "I'll miss the way you made Kaien nervous. I'll miss how you tutored me in kido, despite how terrible I was. And I'll miss the person I am deeply indebted to, because I probably would still be on the streets if it weren't for him."

Byakuya's P.O.V.

Byakuya put his hands on Hisana's waist and drew her closer.

"I'll…miss you too…" said Byakuya slowly. "Before I met you, everyone except Ukitake-taicho treated me as if I were superior, even as a child. And the clan expected so many great things from me. Then I met a woman who spoke to me as if we were equals and who invented a little, if not annoying, pet name for me."

Hisana lifted her head to meet his eyes. Grayish blue met navy blue. Without thinking, Byakuya pressed his lips to Hisana's and backed her roughly into the screen door. Hisana grunted in surprise, but soon moaned into the kiss. Her nails ranked down his shoulders and arms through his clothes.

Byakuya's hands went to the back of Hisana's thighs and he lifted her off the ground. She followed his lead and wrapped her legs around his waist. Hisana broke the kiss and started to attack his neck. He responded by grinding his hips into her. Hisana threw her head back, banging against the door.

"N-No…" said moaned.

"Why not?" asked Byakuya his voice deeper than usual.

"Because we're in the middle of a hallway where anyone can walk in," she gasped out.

Byakuya smirked, opened the screen door and tugged Hisana in by the hand.

"Not anymore," he whispered.

"What is this place?" Hisana asked as Byakuya bite her neck.

Hisana felt the smile on her neck. "My bedroom."

Author's Note: Haha. I decided to be evil with the cliff hanger cuz I got a Calculus test tomorrow. You better review if you want some good smut.