A/N: This story has been favorited 22 times!! dance dance dance Thank you so much!!
And of course, the weekly update as usual – and the end of the shower scene cliffie Will Hisana ever find the kitchen?
Suggested listening: Alison Kraus "When you say nothing at all"
P.S. -- For some reason my Project Playlist told me that "Iris" was by 3 Days Grace... and when I looked it up on google it was indeed by the Goo Goo Dolls. Does anybody know if 3 Days Grace did a cover of "Iris"?
Chapter 11: When you Say Nothing at All
Byakuya's face was one of marked astonishment as he hovered over Hisana, trying to hide his obvious arousal at their compromising position away and maintain his newly won dignity as head of the Kuchiki household in front of the myriad of servants that had gathered around the opening of the door, their mouths agape in shock.
A well placed glare from Byakuya sent them scattering, scurrying in several different directions as they bumped into each other looking for somewhere to be and something to do. Hisana made sure her eyes were glancing to the side instead of looking directly into Byakuya's, her face as red as a beet as she lay on the damp floor, her head throbbing slightly from her fall.
Byakuya stood up quickly, saying nothing and disappeared behind a frosted glass panel showing only his back's silhouette, leaving a mildly damp and very flustered Hisana standing in the ante-chamber. Looking about, she swiftly backed out of the door she had just entered, sliding it closed and leaning against the wall across the hall for support, her chest heaving.
A little servant girl peered out at her from behind another screen in the next room, the smell of meat cooking on the stove behind her wafting towards her nostrils. The little girl beckoned to her as her stomach growled, and she went through the doors into a large kitchen, where several of the cooks and servants who had been witness to the embarrassing accident a few moments prior tried to look as busy as possible.
"Miss, please, have a seat." The little girl said with a smile, and went over to the stove to bring Hisana a bowl of stew.
"This course is for the banquet later this evening, but from the sound of your stomach, I don't think you can bear to wait."
"Banquet?" Hisana asked, her nose scrunching up.
"Yes, to celebrate Byakuya's ascension into power, I suppose you will be escorting him?"
Hisana's laugh tinkled into the air around her as she picked up a wooden spoon that someone passed her, digging it into the hearty mix of vegetables and beef in a warm broth eagerly.
"I don't really know about that." She said, her embarrassment from moments before temporarily forgotten. She didn't even wipe her mouth with a napkin as she ate, and the servants laughed at the idea of a lady with such table manners.
"What noble house are you from Miss, to have garnered such attention from our master?" an elderly cook cackled as she brought over a plate of fresh cookies.
"I am from no noble house." Hisana laughed, "I am merely a messenger girl from the Rukongai. I was rescued and provided for by Captain Ukitake, and Byakuya-sama saved my life not a week prior, I am greatly indebted to him."
"Indebted eh?" one of the younger girls smirked, "I think I'd enjoy being indebted to him, if your shower escapade is an example of what being indebted entails."
Hisana's face blushed beet red. "It's not like that!" she said, her mouth full of hot stew, causing her to half-choke. "That was an accident."
"I'd like an accident with him" the same girl laughed. "What a beautiful man."
Hisana did not think she was capable of blushing anymore than she already had, and now thought that perhaps she would never remove this color from her cheeks if anyone else continued to speak. A sudden rap on the screen door made everyone in the kitchen freeze as it slid open, Byakuya's damp, unbound and undecorated hair cascading into his face as he stepped into the kitchen, shirtless, a pair of loose pants from a black hakama adorning his lower half, hanging low on his hips as Hisana swallowed the large mouthful of stew she had been eating and wiped her mouth with the nearest cloth napkin, her eyes watching him carefully.
The entire kitchen was eerily still as he stepped into the room, his bare feet padding across the marble tiles until he reached where she sat at the large butcher block topped island. His hands reached out to her, and before she realized what she was doing, she had given him her right hand, and he helped her down from the stool.
Nodding to the chefs, Byakuya dropped her hand and turned to leave, glancing over his shoulder at her. Bowing at the waist to her newfound companions, she padded along after him, her stomach much more cooperative thanks to the food she had received.
Byakuya was completely silent as they walked along the corridor, his toned and muscled back wired and sinewy like that of a large cat's. She barely noticed when they arrived back at his chambers, his eyes turning to stare at her as he opened the door and let her go in first. She scuttled by him nervously, and was greeted by Oba-chan, who sat smiling by the fire-side.
Byakuya walked in behind her, and she glanced at him for reassurance as he caught her eye momentarily. She tottered towards the fire place and took a seat, her body quivering with the warmth of the fire.
Oba-chan reached out and patted her on the hand, beaming. "It is so nice to see you again my dear!" she laughed, reaching out to touch Hisana on the cheek. "I must say, my Haru-chan was quite astonished at your little outburst last week, but I am proud of you for sticking up for my Byakushi." She murmured, reaching over to pick up a cup of tea and sip it. "I am not young, my dear, and it has been many years since I have seen Byakuya look at a woman as he looks at you."
Hisana stopped, in mid-sip, her cup of tea shaking against the saucer. "W..what?" she asked, leaning back against the chair, her eyes glancing around to see if Byakuya was listening. "I don't understand."
"Ah, he used to have a crush on Yoruichi Shuhouin…the former Captain of Squad Two, she was much too old for him though." Oba-chan laughed. "My Byakushi is a fine man." Oba-chan said with a smile, "And I think you would make a fine wife for him."
Hisana coughed, bumping her chest with her fist as she squeaked out the word "Wife?" in between gasps.
"Yes, my dear." Oba-chan said with a grin. "It is inappropriate for any son of a noble house to become the leader of his clan without a wife at his side. I know you may not love Byakuya, and he may not love you, for you have not spent enough time with him to love him yet, I believe, but please, do him the honor of taking his hand."
Hisana swore she could see the room spinning in front of her as she gripped on to the arm rest for stability, "I'm sorry, can you repeat that please?" she asked, her breath catching in her throat.
A deep rumbling from the back of the room made her jump, as she turned to see Byakuya standing in the door way, his face hidden in the shadows. He wore an elaborate navy blue kimono, his hair pulled back into a loosely tied pony tail, his hands cupping something that glittered in the light. "Please, Miss Hisana," he began, and then repeated the sentiments that his Grandmother had just implored of her, "Do me the honor of taking my hand."
Hisana almost fainted right then, and she felt like she couldn't breathe as Oba-chan sat there breathless, a tear running down her cheek. She managed to set her cup of tea down, but her voice wouldn't come out of her throat. Byakuya walked towards her, and she tried to look inconspicuous as he reached out and grabbed her left hand, his bare skin soft against her own as he presented her with a shining band of white gold, a deep red stone set in the center.
"But…but…I am not a noble, I am no one…why, why me?" Hisana stammered, her hands shaking in Byakuya's.
But offering no explanation, Byakuya just looked at her and closed her hand around it. "I will wait for your answer, Miss Hisana. I will not force you into any bonds of engagement if you do not wish them."
With that, he turned and walked through the door, Oba-chan grinning eagerly next to her as Hisana looked at the piece of cupped jewelry in her hands. "Please my dear," Oba-chan declared delightedly, "Think about this seriously, I don't believe that any other lady will do, save yourself."
She darted out the door at a speed that an old woman couldn't possibly have had, leaving Hisana by the fireside as servants came in to prepare her for the banquet that would begin soon. They laid out several kimonos, all of which sparkled like gems in the light of the fire.
"Please, my lady" one of the maids murmured, "Chose your favorite for the banquet tonight."
"But…why…these are too beautiful…" she murmured, her fingers reaching out to touch the nearest of them.
"Because Lord Kuchiki wishes it" the maid murmured, still fanning out the fabrics before her.
Hisana closed her eyes and turned in a circle, then pointed to a random kimono. A solid red, silver embroidered garment was the object of her random selection, and her face blushed as she felt the warmth of the ring in the palm of her hand, the same color as the blood red kimono…the same color as her heart.
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart.
Without sayin' a word you can light up the dark.
Try as I may I could never explain,
what I hear when you don't say a thing.
