Our World

Chapter 10-Crimson Stains

Kuchiki Byakuya was presently out of residence at the Noble House of Kuchiki and the only remnant of his presence beside his personal belongings and the lot was a white quilt blanket that his wife comfortably wrapped herself in during the lonely nights devoid of his warmth. She would often fall asleep whispering silent prayers to the Gods for the protection of her sister and ultimately for the protection of her husband before burying her face in the blanket and filling her senses with his scent. Waking up with his fragrance lingering over her skin however only increased her longing for him and she would find herself missing him even more…The nights were long and lonely without his comforting presence and the fireflies that lingered in the room were not much company when he was absent.

Sleep came however it came like a thread, weaving her in and out of consciousness. Without him, there was a certain silence that pervaded the manor and she would often remind herself that his return was inevitable for she believed in him, she believed in his skill and she believed that he would always return to her…

Hisana was always able to find solace and comfort in her husband's arms and she hoped that she provided the same to him; she was after all his wife. There reunions were usually filled with silence and passion, no words really needing to be uttered because actions portrayed all that they felt within and the emotions were mutual between both parties.

Byakuya had been deployed in the world of the living where there was a mission that had demanded his skill and strength. Hisana had chastely kissed him goodbye upon his cheek at the gates of the manor, watching his retreating frame before it disappeared into the morning light with a sudden blur... Gone like the wind, with a slight swirl of dust to indicate he was ever there…

That night as Hisana lay alone on the futon she pulled his quilt even more tightly over her and pressed it beneath her nose. It had already been a week and he had not returned. Oh, how she missed him…Her searches in Rukongai had gone on unhindered; however, he was always there in her thoughts, always there even if she were unconscious of it, lingering at the back of her mind. She was eager for his return…

'A week has passed and yet you are not home…' she softly murmured into the blanket. 'I miss you Kuchiki Byakuya, I miss you so much…'

Hisana then closed her eyes, tightening her grasp on the pure white sheets as she drifted into the world of dreams…

"Please Lady Hisana, it is not your duty to do any of this…" A small sob of protest escaped Hisana's handmaiden, Yuki as she watched in open astonishment as her mistress began to slice the daikon for the meal.

"My Lady…" she tried once more but was stopped by a small pleasant smile as Hisana turned towards her, "You are preparing a meal for me, so surely it is not a problem if I aid?"

"But-"

Hisana laughed at the girl's expression and continued to slice the radish as her handmaiden looked on in utter disbelief. As soon as she was finished she gracefully placed the knife down and tilted her head in thought as she softly hmmed to herself.

"Hakusai, I think I would like some of those." She silently mused to herself, "Yuki." Hisana focused her attention once more on the handmaiden, "Are the Chinese cabbages ready?"

Yuki bemusedly blinked at her mistress for a moment before slowly nodding. "They are well for picking yes, however they are out in the garden. I will ask one of the servants to fetch them-"

Hisana began to shake her head, her soft tresses kissing the nape of her neck. "No, I will get them-"

"But it is cold outside today, you shouldn't my Lady!"

Hisana lightly chuckled at the handmaiden's objection and began to remove the apron she had worn over her kimono. "And that is why I will get them, I think."

Hisana moved towards the shoji door that led towards the garden and softly slid it open. The slight chilly air brushed against her skin and she revelled in the feel and smell of the outdoors as she began to step into a pair of geta. "I won't be long!" she waved to a stunned Yuki as she gathered a basket. Yuki watched in silent wonder as her mistress slid the door shut. Really, she marvelled, since when did the mistresses of Manors begin helping their handmaidens prepare dishes…?

Hisana knew her handmaiden was rather confused as to why she engaged in such trivial chores but really there was nothing trivial about it. She was presently alone and she needed distraction. Why remain in isolation where all manner of thought would openly cascade upon her consciousness. No, it was better to be distracted than to be left in the company of her mindless contemplations. It was better like that…

The crisp morning air was perfectly invigorating and Hisana inhaled a soft breath of it as she wandered through the flower lined path. Upon meeting the cobbled stone pathway that led towards the garden, she began to softly hum to herself, something she hadn't done in quite a while. It was quite a peaceful morning.

Hisana rested the basket down and stood akimbo as she surveyed the garden before her.

"Chinese cabbages, Chinese cabbages…" she softly muttered to herself. "Where are you?" She spotted the path that led towards the cabbages and quickly took out the small kitchen knife she would need to retrieve the provision. There was nothing more pleasant than being given the opportunity to gather fruits and vegetables from within the confines of one's home. It was a treat actually, knowing that everything was right there and she loved gardens, gardens of every kind. It was one of the most exciting aspects of living in the manor and Hisana had been absolutely delighted when Byakuya had shown it to her. She wasn't sure why it had fascinated her so, probably because she had never been afforded the luxury of seeing something like it before. Gardens were common in Rukongai, however the plants were never able to flourish as beautifully as they did here. Maybe that was why she had appreciated it Byakuya had said. She had given him a beautifully blushing smile and continued to gaze at the plants…Silly really…

After finishing, she contentedly placed the Chinese cabbage into the basket. Hisana had only begun to raise herself when the sudden pain that pierced through her stomach caught her quite by surprise. She winced at the intensity of the attack and almost doubled over once more, the kitchen knife falling from her grasp. Her eyes widened in horror and her hand reflexively flew to the affected area. What had it been? Just as suddenly as it had come it had disappeared... Hisana remained as still as possible anticipating another onslaught but nothing came and there was not even a throb to indicate it had ever happened. Maybe it had just been a fleeting thing…? She grimly frowned for a minute before raising the basket and picking up the knife. Why had the attack been so sudden…what had it all been about? What message was her body trying to communicate? Trying her best to brush the thought from her head, she tightened her grip on the basket and carefully began making her way towards the kitchen. She was frightened, very frightened and maybe it would have just been better if she presently ignored it…? She prayed that is was so. Something like this had never happened to her before…

As soon as she rested her hand against the catch to slide the door open, she felt the attack once more. She closed her eyes at the strength of the assault and weakly entered the kitchen, her body feeling almost faint. It was happening again and this time it was more powerful…

"My Lady!"

Hisana raised her head in alarm at the voice and her eyes widened in fright as she observed her handmaiden standing almost dumbfounded before her.

"Are you alright…?" Yuki uncertainly queried. She noted the confusion on her mistress's countenance, the flush on her cheeks, the slight grimace that had twisted her lips…

Hisana managed a feeble smile, trying her best to stifle the sob that was inching up her throat, the deluge of tears that was threatening to burst…

"I-I yes…Yuki would you mind if I took a small rest, my head, I think, it think it aches a bit…"

Yuki worriedly glanced at her mistress. She had never seen her look so distressed.

"You should have let me go in your stead My Lady…"

"No I wanted to go, don't-" Hisana tightened her fists and pursed her lips as another wave of pain coursed through her, "don't worry, it's just a-a passing ache, it'll fade away…"

Yuki anxiously watched as her mistress opened the shoji door, her fingers slightly fumbling with the catch. What on earth had triggered that sudden head ache?

Hisana sat with her eyes closed, the tears silently streaking her cheeks in small rivulets. The room was silent and the pain was immense, both physically and emotionally. As soon as she had entered her room the cramps had begun to intensify and they were becoming more unbearable by the minute. It was almost as though her stomach and her body were throbbing from it all. Her heart was confused and her abdomen was almost twisting in agony. She had been perfectly fine this morning, she had been without any of this morning, so why now? Why did this all have to plague her now…

A small wince of pain escaped her lips as the cramps almost grated her insides. Maybe it was best she went to the washroom? She struggled to stand, her hand pressed over her stomach. She managed to stumble towards the shoji door where she slid it open and began to weakly grope towards the washroom. The sobs softly came as she tried to suppress it all. Everything hurt so much…

'Why? What is the meaning of this?' She softly muttered through gritted teeth, the tears a testament to the pain she was experiencing. Was it possible to experience such immense physical pain?

She entered the bath area and hurriedly bent over the wash basin as she gripped the edges to support herself. She looked up at her reflexion in the mirror and grimaced at her pallid complexion. She seemed so white and her eyes, they seemed almost lifeless…Hisana began to absently trace the outline of her lips and her cheeks before allowing her hand to fall limply at her side. Why was this happening? She questioned for the millionth time.

Hisana suddenly felt another inexplicable pain piercing her stomach. She almost screamed at the sharpness of it and immediately doubled over as she tightly wrapped her arms around herself. What was that feeling? It was akin to menstrual cramps, but dear god much more intense… She felt it again and she sagged against the basin, breathing almost in gasps. What was wrong with her? It was as though her insides were writhing in anguish. She shakily took a small step away from the basin and felt a bead of sweat as it trickled down her cheek. She swayed at the effort and pressed her hands against the basin once more, her breath almost ragged at the slight expenditure of energy.

After a minute or two she weakly began to struggle with the folds of her kimono, hastily shedding the fabrics until she stood in naught but her undergarments. She shivered slightly at the chill and almost gasped in surprise when she noticed a small crimson stain on the fabric. Blood! Her mind screamed. Where had the blood come from, why had it even come?

As she pathetically stood upon the cold floor, her heart and mind confused she began to feel the pain slowly beginning to waver in intensity. Had the worst part gone? And the blood what about the blood, why was it even there…? Hisana unsteadily raised the crimson material closer to her face and felt her heart racing in despair. She had bled, or was she bleeding…? It had been so heavy that it had even smeared the undergarments of her kimono. What was it? All emotions of frustration, hurt and disbelief swirled within and Hisana felt her legs give way beneath her. She weakly and helplessly collapsed onto her knees, limply holding onto the material between her fingers as it softly glided away from her feeble grasp.

The pain still softly swirled within, gradually beginning to ebb as the minute hand slowly moved on…

She was not presently menstruating, so why? Why was she bleeding so heavily, why had something like this even happened to her, why today?

Hisana closed her eyes and felt as though she was sinking into a world of utter despair. What was happening? From one thing to the next…what was happening to her?

She was frightened, so very frightened, confused and alone…