Byakuya waited on the patio for Ame, he wanted her to stand next to him, even though they weren't married he wanted to make his intentions with Ame were clear to his family. Then she came out, and Ame was simply stunning, the kimono was amazing on her. Her make- up was barely noticeable, the blue of her kimono made her eyes look even brighter, her hair was up in a bun. She was beautiful, Ame may not have been a noblewoman but she looked the part. Then Byakuya noticed it was a tight bun, he then began looking her over with a more critical eye, she was walking slowly but gracefully. But he'd seen her walk before and Ame did not walk like that, Byakuya looked down at her shoes and noticed they were small even for her feet. Her waist looked smaller than it should have been, he'd felt Ame's curves before he'd slept holding them last night for gods sake! Byakuya's gaze flicked to the maid escorting her, he saw it was Maeno's granddaughter, the one he'd had deliver the kimono.

He'd had Chitose deliver the kimono for two reasons, one to make sure it got there and two to make sure Ame was being taken care of. She had a look of worry on her face, as she looked between Ame and him, it was clear Ame was not alright. Even though she was hiding it well, and there was a feirce light in her eyes as if she was readying to do battle. "Hello Byakuya, thank you for the beautiful kimono." Ame said brightly, and her voice was quieter than normal.

"Ame are you alright?" Byakuya asked quietly as he saw the first of his guests start to come into the gardens, he looped his arm through hers, making her put some of her weight off her feet and onto him. "I'm perfect." She said her voice sounded strange.

Ame could feel the hag watching her, so she had to stick it out, she had to show that she wasn't going to give in. Ame was grateful to Byakuya for letting her lean against him, it helped her feet out. Ame knew this was going to be hell, but she would do it.

...

Ame wasn't sure if she could do it, it had been four hours it was hard to breath, and her feet hurt so bad. To make things even worse is that, the hag wasn't watching her but the entire Kuchiki family was, so there was no way for her to be able to deal with this. Ame would have to wait for this thing to be over with, she could feel Byakuya watching her like a hawk looking for signs of weakness, if he tried to make her go inside she refused. Every now and again Chitose would appear with a glass of water and ask her if she was okay, Ame would nod considering it hurt to speak. When some member of Byakuya's family came to speak with her, she was forced to speak and in a normal voice, Ame cursed her pride.

Ame was listening to a man who was related to Byakuya in some way, how she didn't no her head felt light and she felt like she was going to be sick, she felt hot even though the day was cool. Suddenly someone had their arm around one of hers, Ame blinked and heard Byakuya's grandfather speak. "Excuse me but I think I'm going to borrow Miss Kimura and show her around the pond."

Oh god more walking please no! Ame pleaded to the heavens and was led painfully away. When they reached the bench Ame had found yesterday they stopped, suddenly Chistose and Doc was there. Ginrei helped Ame to remain standing Chitose began removing the bun quickly and Doc was tugging trying to find some type of give in her obi. "Your will to remain strong is admirable Ame, and I am surprised you have lasted this long. But its painful to watch half my family sneer in satisfaction to your pain while the other half wonders if they should assisit you." Ginrei said calmly, as both Chitose and Yunto tried there damnedest to untie the knot. he was helping to support her now, he held Ame by the elbows lightly, it was clear that she was having troubles. Both breathing and not passing out, she was determined not to faint even though she danced along the edge.

He admired Ame Kimura's will to not back down, he'd known stronger men to give up at the thoughts of such lasting pain.

Maeno finally snarled and pulled a small pen knife out of his pocket and slide it carefully under the obi and cut it free, he'd seen what was happening to her the moment he clapped eyes on her. Midori had clearly meant to make her faint, Byakuya and Ginrei had both noticed she was in pain as well. Byakuya had tried to pull her away so he could help her. But he was then quickly pulled away by other family members those who wanted Ame gone, finally Byakuya asked him and Ginrei to take care of it while he made everyone leave.

Ame took huge gasps of air, tears sprang from her eyes at the huge pain that came with it, she was sat down on the bench. Ame felt the folds of her kimono moved aside as Doc looked at her midsection, he cursed and said she was bruising; badly. Ame felt soft hands massaging her scalup gently, making the throb go away slowly. She looked up to see Chitose there smiling at her both sadly and proudly, Ame noticed she was a pretty woman, She had a round face, perfect lips, a few freckles and chocolate locks. Ame took deep breathes and waited for the dizzyness and pain to subside, her feet still hurt she wanted to shoes off but she couldn't seem to move. Her body felt heavy and she wanted to go to sleep, Ame's eye slide shut of their own accord. Suddenly she was pulled up out of the wooden bench into someone's arms, the scent of Byakuya and Sakura's filled her nose. Then Ame fainted dead in Byakuya's arms.

Byakuya was above and beyond livid, he'd caught a glimpse of Ame's midsection and the dark ring around it. Someone was responsible and they would be punished for this, he could hear her rasping breathes as it pained her to breath, Byakuya hated his family at the moment to it's very core. He knew she hadn't been given the chance to eat breakfast, and the obi had been to tight for her to eat lunch. Byakuya held Ame's limp form close as he carried her to his room.

he layed her down onto his bed gently, then he removed her shoes and gritted his teeth as her socks came off. Her feet were bruised and bleeding from how small her shoes had been, Ame whimpered as he removed the other shoe and sock, Byakuya lifted her small abused foot to his lips and kissed it. He knew that this was his fault as well, he'd left her alone in the hands of that woman.

...

Ame came to after something cool was slathered on her foot, she jumped at how cold it was. Ame looked down to see Doc holding one of her feet carefully, while he put sometype of cream on it. "Sorry." He grumbled and contiuned what he was doing. The cream was cool and soothed her throbbing feet, suddenly the door opened up and Chitose walked in carrying a tray.

"Oh good your awake, I brought you something to eat." Chitose said and placed the tray on her lap, Doc wrapped her feet up after he put the cream on. "Alright your going to have to stay off your feet for a couple days, there's really not much I can do for them besides give you something for the pain and bandage them."

Ame nodded in understanding. "Um... where am I this doesn't look like my room." It was bigger, a low table with various brushes and inks was off to one side, there was a large bookcase on one wall with many different types of books, the bed was twice the size of the one she slept in. The blanket was made from silk and a soft blue, while the sheets were a silvery white. While the bed she was given to sleep in here had one pillow, this one had two. Ame could smell the Sakura blooms heavily from in here, a swift look out the window showed they were near the garden. "Your in Lord Kuchiki's personal bedroom, he wanted to make sure you were comfortable."

Doc rumaged through his bag somemore, puting everything away. "Ginrei was impressed by your determination, as well as a few other members of the family."

Ame hide her smile by looking at her midsection, and the purple black bruise there, Ame didn't care that she was naked except for her bra and panties. Chitose had a pair of her own and Doc already saw things like this everyday. Ame poked it and hissed, Doc's large hand grabbed hers and put it to her side. "Leave that alone, I know that being so young and a glutton for pain you want to touch it, but believe me poking you pains will NOT make them get better." He patted her hand as if soothing a child. he grinned as Ame scowled at him.

Then the door opened once more and Byakuya and Ginrei walked in, Byakuya took in Ame's lack of clothes and looked away. "What's the matter boy scared of a bit of skin." Doc asked with a grin.

Chitose placed a light green robe around her shoulders, Ame smiled in thanks and pulled it on covering herself and more importantly the evidence of Midori's malice.

Byakuya was glad she'd put something on, considering the discolored skin was like a slap in the face. also. Her lack of clothing showed off her body, and she wasn't wearing normal wrappings, she was wearing a bra that made her breasts look... delectable.

"Well it's good to see your well Miss Kimura i just came to see how you were doing before I left." Ginrei said.

Ame was very grateful to him, she had a feeling if he hadn't stepped in when he did, Ame would probably have passed out on the ground. "Thank you for everything, sir." Ame said with a earnest smile. Ginrei nodded and turned to leave. "Take care of her Byakuya."

Ame saw a sharp look pass between them, a look that spoke secret words, she wondered what that was about.