Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or The Wheel of Time series. They belong to Tite Kubo and the late Robert Jordan (may he rest in peace). I do own my OC's and my ideas/storyline, but I am only publishing these works for the entertainment of others. (I hope they are entertaining!)
Thank you for the wonderful reviews on the last
chapter!! I can finally breathe! Special thanks
to Jazzmaster for turning me into a squealing pile
of mush with his/her review. I hope I can continue
to impress you! (still can't believe I did in the first place LOL)
Of course, I could never forget my Master, WannaBeNinja
and Angil. You ladies are freakin awesome!
Chapter 9 – A Startling Revelation
The sound of a door opening stirred him from slumber. His eyes fluttered open slowly, looking around the room in confusion. Warmth pressed tightly to him caused him to look down and suck in his breath harshly. The crumpled form of a woman lay in his arms, her black hair covering her face. His mind still thick with sleep, he whispered aloud "Hisana?"
"Oh good, you're awake" said the voice from the door.
Turning sharply, he found the speaker and narrowed his eyes. "Lieutenant Abarai…what do you want?"
Renji had grown used to his Captain's cold tone, it no longer had any effect on him. He snorted and pointed at him "I wanna know if you slept like that all morning. You're gonna regret it later, if you don't already."
"Do you have a point?"
Renji shrugged "Just saying, that can't be comfortable. For you, or for her."
"That is none of your concern, Abarai Renji. Now, was there some reason for you coming into my room unannounced?"
"Che. Don't be so grumpy. If I hadn't woken you up, you'd have missed the meeting with Yamamoto."
Byakuya narrowed his eyes at this. "Did your memory fail you? Yamamoto said I would be exempt from that meeting due to last nights events."
'Geez, Captain Kuchiki is really out of it isn't he?' "Sir, that meeting was held this morning. The afternoon meeting is in two hours."
Renji almost enjoyed the look of shock on his Captain's face. It wasn't something anyone saw often, in fact, most people thought it to be an impossibility. The man simply does not show emotion, reaction, anything. A heart of stone and an expression to match. 'He must be really tired. He rarely sleeps so late, despite going to bed at the hour we did. And to have that woman curled up with him? He must have lost his mind.'
"I see. Thank you for alerting me."
Byakuya immediately turned to the woman he held in his arms, hoping to wake her gently. His tone and body language told Renji that the discussion was over. With a smirk his Lieutenant slid out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Byakuya gently pushed her back onto one arm. She stirred but did not wake, only held onto him tighter, face scrunching slightly in protest.
"Suiren."
Pushing her hair back, he spoke softly to her. Slowly, her eyes began to open and her grip on his kimono loosened. Her eyes had a slight tilt to them, shaped a bit like an almond. The pupils themselves were deep shade of green, encompassing all the beauty of a finely cut emerald. Overall, they were very pleasing to look upon. Why hadn't he noticed that before? Her cheeks were finely sculpted, her lips full, almost pouty. The gravity of his thoughts hit him again, causing him to freeze in place, his hand still resting on her cheek. 'Why is she having this effect on me?' He felt the urge to push her away from him roughly but he could not bring himself to move.
"Light above…" she grumbled to herself, her body aching from the awkward position in which she had slept.
Still leaning heavily on him, she looked curiously up at him, as if wondering why he was there. He saw it click in her eyes and felt it through the a'dam when her memory cleared. They were alert, a sharp and knowing, no longer clouded by sleep. Her face quickly changed to crimson when she noticed how he was holding her, the coolness of his hand contrasting with the warmth her face now held.
"Blood and ashes" she whispered, releasing her hold on him and hastily trying to back away. Her panic was near comical as she struggled to break free from such an intimate embrace.
"What was I…why…" She was at a loss for words.
"Calm yourself Aes Sedai. You fell asleep that way and apparently I did too."
The panic faded soon after he spoke, his words strangely having a calming effect on her. The early morning events were hazy, but she did not forget seeking his comfort. Her relief was short lived with that reminder. Shame now overwhelmed her and she hung her head, using her hair to hide her face from him. Leaning forward, he pushed back her hair, cupping her face in his hand.
"Think nothing of it and I shall do the same."
He waited until she nodded before he released her face and stood, pulling her up with him.
"We are going to be late to your demonstration if we do not get ready."
She nodded and followed him out of the room. "I could certainly use a bath, but I'm not quite sure how well that is going to work." She said quietly behind him, glaring down at the cord that connected them.
Byakuya stopped so suddenly that she ran into him. She managed a hasty apology and stepped back, waiting for him to speak. He was silent for several minutes. Apparently he had not considered the difficulties of it himself. When he finally spoke, he did so very slowly, choosing his words with great care.
"I can remove the bracelet for you to bathe, but the Commander ordered me not to let you leave my sight."
Her jaw dropped in horror but snapped shut when he raised his hand to silence her.
"Since that would be more than inappropriate, I will have a screen put up in the room to keep you out of sight, but I cannot leave the room. Would that be acceptable?"
Suiren repressed a sigh. It would be fair, so long as he wasn't a lecher. He did not strike her as one at least.
"It will have to do, though I can already see the flaws in it."
Byakuya turned his head to look at her. "Would you rather I adhere to his words exactly?"
She sniffed at the idea and placed her hands firmly on her hips, lips thinning. "I will not allow it."
"Hn"
She thought for just a brief moment she saw his lips curve up in a smile, but he turned his head back too quickly for her to be certain.
"Just be thankful it wasn't Captain Kyoraku who found you."
A thin brow arched on her dainty face in curiosity. "Do I want to know why?"
"You will understand when you meet him later today."
"Hn" she said, mocking him.
Showering was indeed an interesting experience, but more for Suiren than Byakuya. She was used to copper bathing tubs and had never seen a shower before. To have water pouring from a spout instead of being brought in by servants clearly amazed her. Thankfully, there was a female servant there to help her and show her how to turn it on and off. Byakuya had to muffle the laughter that bubbled through his lips when he heard her squeak when the water came on. It had actually frightened her! She composed herself quickly enough, and before long she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
She was actually a little disappointed to leave the shower once she had finished. It had been a delightful experience. It was far more effective than a steady stream of serving girls bringing in pots of hot water. The pressure of the water against her skin had been relaxing to her aching muscles, soothing them with its steady beat. As far as she could tell, the stolid Captain had remained a gentleman and stayed just out of sight for the entirety. She returned the favor when he wished to shower as well.
A servant gave her a simple white yukata to wear until she could get dressed for the day. She also took Suiren's dress, promising to have it cleaned and repaired. Another servant brushed her long, dark hair, tying it in the back loosely. It seemed odd to dress so simply, forgoing all of the usual trappings of royalty. She couldn't have been happier to leave all of her hairpins in a pile in Byakuya's room.
'Not just his room now, but my room as well. Light! Uncle Davram would have a fit if he knew I was sharing a room with a man. Wouldn't want to ruin my reputation and prevent future suitors.' She laughed to herself at that thought. 'Here I am worrying about potential suitors when my very life hangs in the balance. Not many men would be brave enough to wed an Aes Sedai as is, even if I am to be Queen.'
Byakuya came around the screen, breaking her train of thought. He had a on the same, simple yukata as herself and a towel draped over the top of his head casually. It was difficult to keep her from licking her lips, but it wasn't from nervousness. The man before her was just so strikingly handsome, water still beaded here and there on his skin. Her chest grew tight and she raised her hand to her heart, clutching her yukata. Quickly she turned her head from him.
"Are you alright Suiren?"
"Y-yes. I'm fine dai shan."
He sighed at her as he refastened the bracelet. "Byakuya-sama is acceptable, you don't have to keep referring to me as that."
She gave him a tight smile. "Dai shan is less of a mouthful. Don't you have a nickname?"
'A nickname? Why would I allow anyone to call me by anything other than my name?' "I prefer Byakuya-sama."
Suiren was greatly tempted to stick her tongue out at him childishly. It surprised her that she would even think to do such a thing, especially considering her age and status, but it honestly seemed like a good idea at the moment. She was willing to bet that he would love the Aiel's way of ji'e'toh. Honor, obligation, and duty. Instead she smiled mysteriously at him, rising and walking towards him with one hand outstretched.
"Ayende no, sul'dam."
He stared at her blankly, watching her hand reach towards him but making no move to stop her. He knew she meant him when she said sul'dam, but what she wanted him to do, he did not know. Her hand stopped atop his forehead and the other pulled the towel off his head. She repeated herself since he did not seem to understand.
"Release me, leash holder. I wish to use the Power."
He nodded in understanding and the wall vanished. Greedily, reached out to embrace Saidar. He watched her pupils dilate and felt her enjoyment. A glow surrounded her entire body, it even seemed to reach her eyes.
"I never get tired of that feeling." She said with a pleased sigh.
Tying together threads of air with a trace of fire, she ran them through his hair and her own, effectively drying them. "I wish I had another use for the power right now, I don't want to let it go."
Byakuya picked up a strand of his now dry hair, inspecting it. "Is it that pleasurable, this power of yours?"
She nodded slowly "Very much so. It is a double edged sword though. A woman can draw in too much of it and burn herself out. We must always know our limits and resist the ever present call of Saidar."
"It calls to you?" He motioned for her to follow him and they made their way back to his room for fresh clothing.
"Saidar is always there, waiting. This a'dam serves as a shield somewhat, although it feels a little different. It is as though my link to Saidar becomes hazy. I can still touch it but if I try it makes me feel quite ill and I can barely grasp it. If another Aes Sedai were to shield me it would seem as though it was just over the horizon, out of reach and I would be unable to touch it at all."
He listened quietly to her speak, taking in as much information as he could. Every bit would help. Since Aizen had one of these women in his clutches already, he would no doubt use her in battle against them. They walked back into his room and he began pulling his normal uniform out of a closet.
Suiren stared inside the spacious room curiously and flipping through his kimonos. "May I wear one of these?"
He looked at her sharply. It was a strange request, but she did not seem to notice. He had intended on loaning her one of Hisana's old kimono's to wear but this would at least save him a painful reminder of his late wife.
"Very well. They will be quite large for you, but you should be able to adjust it significantly to fit. Pick out whichever one you wish."
She smiled at him again, thawing his usually cold heart. "Thank you for your kindness to me. You have helped more than you can know."
Byakuya was unsure just how to respond, so he said nothing at all, watching and patiently waiting for her to choose something to wear. Finally, she selected a pale yellow kimono top embroidered with his family crest, along with a deep green hakama and obi. Running her fingers over the crest she muttered to herself.
"So, it is two cranes with spread wings."
The two walked over to a shoji screen the servants had provided, allowing it to separate them so they could change. Byakuya muttered to himself about the leash being in the way. He was going to have to take it off again just to dress himself.
"This leash is quite a nuisance. It would be much easier to move about without it in the way."
Before the words even left his mouth the leash began to dissipate before them. On the other side of the screen he heard her gasp.
"Byakuya-sama…do you see that?"
"Yes…how very strange. The bracelet still remains, is the collar gone?"
She laughed mirthlessly at his question. "No. I suppose the leash is just optional and you can will it away."
She snapped her fingers together suddenly, a new light of hope shining down on her. "Try to will the collar away, or to open at the very least."
He did as she said; envisioning her long neck free of the dreaded thing but it did not work as she had hoped.
"Mother's milk in a cup!" She cursed when her plan failed.
"At least we can move about a bit more freely now" he said, hoping to comfort her some.
"Yes, I suppose I should be grateful for that much" she answered with a resigned sigh.
She slipped into the kimono top, cinching it tightly at her waist with the green sash knotted on her side. Looking down she tugged on the hem. "This strange tunic is long enough to be a dress!" She exclaimed. Granted, a very risqué dress. It was more like a shift really.
"So ka?" Came the bland reply.
She walked over to a mirror that she saw in the corner to observe herself. When she reached it and looked at herself the blood drained from her face. Feeling her rising horror, Byakuya stuck his head out from behind the screen in concern.
"Suiren? What is wrong?"
Holding her face in her hands, her knees gave way and she slumped to the floor. Thankful that he was at least partially dressed, he rushed over to her. She turned to him slowly, her eyes wide with shock.
"My face…"
His eyebrow twitched in annoyance "There is nothing wrong with your face."
She shook her head and covered her eyes with her fingers. "You don't understand! Burn me, it must have been the Oaths being removed. I look just as I did when I first took them."
"I don't follow you. Did you look older before?"
"It was not so much older, I was still very youthful in appearance, but one cannot place a specific age on an Aes Sedai. Our faces stay smooth and youthful no matter how old we are. You can stare at an Aes Sedai all day and still not guess her age. One moment she looks twenty, in another glance she's forty. It is something that marks all Aes Sedai."
Pushing herself off the floor, she stared into the mirror once more.
"I look twenty again. Can I even call myself an Aes Sedai now? Am I even worthy of the ring?"
She held up one hand, showing him the golden ring she wore of the Great Serpent biting its own tail. Byakuya squeezed her shoulders lightly.
"I do not think they can take that away from you Suiren. They cannot change who and what you are."
She sighed dejectedly but nodded in agreement.
"Come now, you must finish dressing."
Eager to take her mind off of her now very youthful looks, she looked back down at the large shirt she wore.
"It is a bit like a short dress…"
Byakuya followed her eyes down the shirt and grunted when he saw it barely came close to her knees, leaving a great deal of her slender legs exposed. Still holding her by the shoulders, he turned her around and gently pushed her back towards the shoji screen.
"You aren't leaving here without those hakama on."
He left her by the clothes and moved back around to finish dressing himself, as he had not yet put on his haori or kenseikan. He reminded her of Warders in some ways. He was as rigid as quite a few she knew of. How she missed being in the company of Alindrah. She could always be herself with her first-sister.
After a moment or two of confusion, she finally figured out how to wear the hakama pants. With another glance in the mirror she was satisfied with her looks. The hem of the pants rested in folds atop her foot, giving away the fact that they were not meant for her to wear. Other than that, she managed to maneuver the clothing to fit her best.
"I am ready Byakuya-sama" she called to him, watching him step out from behind the screen.
It was the first time she had seen him fully uniformed. When they first met, he had only been wearing a simple shihakusho. Now he had a flowing white coat on over it, a large scarf draped around his neck and a strange hair ornament that separated his hair in three places atop his head and two above his ear. 'How odd. Still, he is very handsome' she thought to herself.
"…Thank you. You look quite lovely as well, Suiren Sedai."
'Oh Light! I said that out loud?' She covered her blunder smoothly by smiling and nodding at him, acting as though it was done on purpose. Extending one arm, she motioned for him to lead the way. They walked together in silence to the front of the house to retrieve their footwear. She slid her feet into her richly colored green slippers, pleased she had managed to find a hakama that matched them perfectly. Waiting for him to finish tying on his sandals, she began to recite a poem she heard once as a child.
"My heart rises with the sun. To the chime of swords. I die at sunset…"
Byakuya's head snapped up suddenly and he snatched her hand, causing her words to break off. "Do not say such things, I told you before no harm will come to you."
Startled by his gruff manner she shrunk back in momentary fright. "It was just a poem…I do not know what made me think of it just then."
He loosened his grip and relaxed. She pulled her hand free angrily.
"Light! I would hate to see what you would do if I began singing the Aiel songs Alindrah taught me."
Ignoring her outburst, he calmly walked out the door and waited for her to follow. Crossing her arms beneath her breasts she lifted her chin and glided out behind him.
a/n: For reasons I have yet to understand, 'Mother's milk in a cup' is a seriously nasty phrase in WoT. Just sounds gross to me…. Oh yeah, 'so ka' is like saying 'is that so?'
Sorry I got the action thing mixed up! It is all in the next chapter.
To make up for my wee blunder, I am posting them both today!
Huzzah! If you're appreciative, you should review -nods-
It'll be up in about an hour or so. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
The next one is even better!
