Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since I first published this story! Where has the time gone!
First and foremost, thank you auroraxisabella, Jazzabell, calliecature, ScarletLeaves, RukiaGallega for the reviews.
I must admit Ran is probably my favorite OC. She's a genius! (Since I created her, does that make me a genius too?) Anyway… basically if Ran had been the villain of Bleach then all the shinigami would be dead, Karakura Town would have been destroyed and she would be the new Spirit Queen. Alas, we got stuck with ugly transformation Aizen and whoever the real villain of this stupid fullbring arc is…
Now in case you've forgotten some of the back story:
Seigen is Byakuya's closest friend. He adopted Fujimaru and Matsuri from Rukongai. He also has a sister Konoka who is in love with Byakuya but had an arranged marriage with Higashiyama Takehiko and they have their daughter Shiyo. However, Takehiko is not what you'd call great husband and father material and Konoka is currently in the process of getting an annulment. However, as described in chapter 13, Takehiko's father Ginjiro has "suddenly" passed away (notice how a lot of deaths are very "sudden") and since Takehiko has disgraced the family, Shiyo is now the head. However, Takehiko is not out of the picture yet because he has the support of a certain new widow…
I know it's very confusing. I've been told by several people that I have a very complex mind. Well some say complex, other say downright insane! I'll let you decide!
I still own nothing. So apparently Ginjo was the real enemy all along? Really? Really?
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(Later that day, Inuzuri)
Hisana couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy.
After waking up, she had been surprised and rather hurt that her new fiancé wasn't with her. She was beginning to think it was all a dream, a beautiful and haunting dream, when she had spotted a note lying beside her. The love sick woman had read it so many times she knew it would forever remain in her memory.
"May I honor the warrior woman
The way snow on the branch in April
Honors the pink of the cherry blossoms
I stand in awe of fragile miracles
I have some things to take care of in Seireitei. I will be back later today.
Love from your fiancé,
Kuchiki Byakuya"
Just thinking about it made her heart flutter.
Both Ellie and little Max had asked about her happier-than-usual expression but Hisana had refused to answer. For some reason, she liked it being a secret that only the two of them shared. Besides, it would only complicate matters once they found out.
Instead she tried to focus on her cooking but her mind kept wondering off. Hisana was trying to come up with a poem that she could give to Byakuya in return. It seemed that every few moments she would rush over to the only empty table and begin scribbling a response, but her poems were still so inferior to those of the nobleman.
Oh, she felt absolutely giddy thinking about her betrothed. She had even begun thinking about what the future held. A small wedding would do. Nothing too outlandish. Just a few close friends and family would be good. She wondered what it would be like to live at the Kuchiki Manor. Obviously she had been there before but had never stepped inside. It was a huge structure. Perhaps she should ask Byakuya for a map so she wouldn't get lost.
Then for the children…
Hisana's pale cheeks reddened at the thought. She had always wanted to be a mother but she wanted to find a love like the one her parents had shared. Her mother had always said that there was someone for everyone, but Hisana doubted her mother would have thought it would be a noble. Still she knew her mother and father would have approved. It hurt thinking about the family she had lost but now she would gain a new family. Byakuya said that his grandfather was still alive and that he had an aunt and two cousins. They must have all been so close and now it would expand.
"I wonder if Byakuya-sama will allow me to name the children after my parents. Kazuo and Manabi are good names. But maybe he would want to name them after his mother and father. Come to think it, I don't know what their names were. I'll have to ask… but I think I could handle four children running around. The grounds are certainly big enough. And Chikako…"
The woman's heart clenched at the thought of her sister. But at least now when Hisana would find her, she could bring the little girl back to an actual home.
The crashing sound of another plate hitting the floor and the familiar screams of a certain rose haired tea house owner directed at her red headed brother echoed into the kitchen. Hisana chuckled in response and walked over to the corner where the broom was located.
It was only when she turned around that she realized the noise had covered up the sound of the door to the kitchen opening and the footsteps entering the room.
"Daiji-san," she whispered as her heart began to race.
The russet haired boy was looking at her with a closed expression, but she could see the tenseness in his scarred body.
"So Hisana… how was your latest trip to the wonderful Seireitei?" he asked rather harshly.
The cook had no idea how to respond. She had been hoping to avoid this until she could properly explain. Unfortunately she had left all her writings and Byakuya's letter on the table closest to the man. He walked over and began to read some of them before Hisana could say anything.
"Who are these for?" he asked in a surprising calmness voice as he glanced over at the woman with a panicked expression plastered on her features.
"Daiji-san…"
"Hisana, who are these for? And who wrote this one?" he said while holding the only note with noticeably different handwriting, his heavy eyebrows creasing in response.
The dark haired woman was silent for a few moments as she tried to collect her thoughts. "Daiji-san… please… I will explain… later… but I need to get back… back to work…"
She tightened her grip on the broom and moved toward the only exit… when Daiji's tanned arm covered with scars shot out and hit the wall, blocking her path…
That's when a "whoosh" was heard… and an elegant sword was pressed directly at the boy's throat…
Brown and grey clashed as the two men stared down one another, seemingly forgetting the woman's presence in the dirty kitchen.
Hisana felt chills run down her spine as she saw Byakuya's face. She had never seen a more terrifying expression. It was such a strange mixture of both burning rage and cold calculation. Daiji, however, appeared completely unaffected as he looked over the intruder.
He was clearly of noble birth. Daiji had no doubt that his white robes probably cost more than anything he'd ever seen. The man was taller and leaner with pale skin that probably wasn't marked with scars. Daiji could also admit that he was decent looking. His straight black hair fell to his shoulders with the right side having this weird white thing in it. Despite not being in the black robes of a shinigami, it was obvious the man was a death god.
"Yes, quite the catch," the smaller man thought with a sneer.
"Bya…Byakuya-sama… please… please don't hurt him," Hisana pleaded, resting her hands on his right arm that still had the sword pointed at the neck of the other man.
Daiji's eyes narrowed as the woman touched the other man's flesh without any hesitation. He removed his own hand from the wall while clutching his fists.
"Yeah Byakuya-sama, do you mind removing your sword? It's making me uncomfortable," Daiji said in a condescending tone.
Rather reluctantly on his part, the prince sheathed his zanpakuto and turned back to the shaking woman. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly and she nodded in response.
"Of course she's alright. Do you think I would hurt her?" Daiji said with a scoff before looking directly into Hisana's beautiful violet eyes… the one's he had been captivated by since the first moment he saw her…
"I never expected this from you…" he started dangerously.
"Daiji-san…"
"Why Hisana? Why did you do it?"
"Daiji-san… I…"
"Is he the real reason you made all those trips to Seireitei?"
"It… it didn't start out that way…"
"But it became that way, right?" he asked, his voice getting louder and angrier.
"I… I…"
"And here I thought I knew you… but underneath that innocent exterior is just another gold digging whore!"
She flinched at his words and Byakuya gripped the hilt of Senbonzakura. The only thing that kept his katana in its place was Hisana's warm hand on his.
"So I guess I just wasn't good enough for you, is that it? Am I not handsome enough? Or is it that I'm not rich enough?" His voice reverberated in the room. The only reason no one else in the tavern heard was because of continuing loud argument between the two siblings in the other room.
"I guess you're an improvement over of the sluts here. You only spread your legs for the best!"
Hisana began shaking at his words, tears forming in her eyes.
"Or maybe not? How do I know that little heart wrenching story about a sister wasn't just another lie so you could stand on a street corner without the people who actually care about you knowing?"
The poor woman opened her mouth several times but no words came from her lips. Daiji knew that wasn't true but he had never been angrier in his life. His only thought was hurting her as much as she had hurt him. And he knew just how to do that…
"Even if it is true, what difference does it make? A helpless baby abandoned in Howling Dog? You know she's already dead!"
It would have been kinder of Daiji to just hit Hisana, although her expression looked like she had been struck.
Byakuya tightened his grip on his sword, resisting with all his might not to kill the boy in front of him.
Daiji could see where things were going and headed toward the door… but not before turning around. Hisana looked into those light brown orbs that usually held such kindness… but now all she saw was the pain of loss… and tears beginning to swell...
And as soon as he walked out the door, Hisana knew she would never see Hirasago Daiji again. The thought brought her to her knees. Daiji had been her first savior. He rescued her from a terrible street fight, treated her wounds, brought her to the relative safety of Ellie's home. It was thanks to Daiji that she had a roof over her head and a place at a table.
What made it worse was she had tried so hard to make herself fall in love with him. She had constantly told herself of all his amazing qualities, how any girl would be lucky to be with him, that she would have been happy… but every time he had gone to touch her, she would unintentionally flinch away. Her abusive uncle's touch still holding sway over her body. And even after she told him about her past, Daiji still wanted to be with her. Hisana didn't know why. She had told him constantly that he deserved someone who could fully love him back… but he always said he wanted her. Now she would live with his pain until the end of her days… all because she had fallen in love with someone she should have never known.
Choked sobs escaped her lips just thinking about it. "Why?" she whispered more to herself than to the soul reaper in the room. "Why do I always put myself in these situations? Why do I always hurt those that I love?" The tears were now running down her face. Byakuya knelt down next to the shaking woman, placing his hands on her shoulders. He remained silent and began to stroke her back. His rage at the boy was almost overwhelming but killing him, no matter how justified, would only cause the woman he loved more pain in the end. Hisana resisted the urge to fling herself into the man's warm arms as a new fear took her. "Why do I push everyone who has been kind to me away? Why do I make them hate me?"
At this he had to respond. "No one could ever hate you, Hisana."
"You're wrong. Daiji-san will loath me forever and so will Ellie-san and Max-kun when they find out. And Yoshino-san will too once she learns of this. If I ever find Chikako she will hate me for abandoning her. And one day so will you. I know it. You'll leave me too," she cried out.
Byakuya moved one of his hands from her shoulder to grab her chin, perhaps a little too harshly, forcing her to look directly into his slate eye. "Listen to me Sato Hisana: I will never hate you and I will never leave you. Do you understand?"
He refused to release her chin until she nodded in response and threw her arms around him. He held her close as she continued to cry, the scent of cherry blossoms that was his aroma slowly calming her senses...
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(A few hours later, The Suzunami Manor)
"And that's what happened," said a very weary voice.
Suzunami Seigen studied his closest confidant carefully from across the small table. Byakuya seemed to have aged several decades after reveling what had occurred over the last two days. Though Seigen knew his friend had not given him some of the more… intimate details… he had not lied about anything either.
"Miyahara Ran has certainly outdone herself. It would be admirable if she wasn't making your life so… difficult," the red haired man stated for lack of a better word.
"Indeed. After she dies, I should give her brain over to the Twelfth Division Captain. Maybe then I would be able to find out how she does it," the heir said harshly.
"I wouldn't count on it. For all we know that woman has already discovered the secret to immortality," Seigen responded.
Byakuya fought of a groan of despair at the suggestion. He doubted the Kuchiki Clan could survive if they had to deal with that elder for eternity.
"Anyway, I don't mind Hisana-san staying here for the time being. Fujimaru and Matsuri are back at the academy so at least I'll have some company," the green eyed man said jokingly.
The vice-captain was grateful but there was one thing he needed to be sure of.
"Konoka?" he asked in a tense voice.
"She is residing at the Higashiyama Manor for the time being. Shiyo's accession to the Head of the Higashiyama Clan has thrown everyone for a loop. There are of whispers of foul play. It certainly is strange timing. Takehiko was about to be expelled from the family and his father ends up dead before that can happen. The succession might have been changed but a regent wasn't appointed and now Takehiko is claiming that he is best suited for the job… while paying off all his gambling debts at the same time. And there are other rumors that a certain new widow has somehow been involved in seeing all this through."
Seigen shook his head at the intrigue. It was truly exhausting to be a noble.
"Anyway, Konoka has put her annulment plans on hold. She fears that if she were to separate from her husband now she would lose custody of her daughter. She doesn't have the time to be paying me a visit," Seigen said with certainty.
Byakuya nodded. He wasn't sure he could handle that conversation just yet.
"What are you going to do now?" Seigen asked.
"First I need to check on Hisana… and then… I need to tell my grandfather everything that has happened," the heir whispered. The mere thought made his stomach turn. The prince stood and headed toward the door that led to the hallway.
"Is she worth it?"
Byakuya knew Seigen was not being cynical. He had gone through something similar when he brought those two children from Rukongai into his home. That had been very difficult for the entire Suzunami Clan.
This would be worse.
What Seigen was really asking was whether or not he could endure everything that was about to occur.
"She's worth everything."
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In another part of the Suzunami Manor, a small woman was putting away her modest belongings. Hisana had never been a materialistic person. Growing up poor in two lifetimes had made her appreciate the simple things in life. Her most prized possessions were the books Yoshino had given her and the poems that Byakuya had written. In Inuzuri, she had put them on a little side table but now she had an actual desk and bookshelf to properly place them.
Hisana was amazed with her new living arrangements. Byakuya had just introduced Suzunami Seigen as his closest friend. It was easy to see why. Like her fiancée, he was a serious man, bordering on sternness, but he had been very kind and had not judged her on her humble origins. He had confessed to adopting two twins from Rukongai who were now training to be shinigami.
The room she had been given was simple, just like her. She had insisted on it to not be a burden. But if this was simple she couldn't even imagine what the ornate rooms looked like.
The walls were painted dark yellow with images of white cranes and green mountains covering every inch. The floor was made of high quality tatami mats that were in stark contrast to the wooden floors she was accustomed to. The bed was impossibly soft. Hisana could only compare it to sleeping on a cloud. Seigen had also provided a new wardrobe for her. Though the kimonos were rather plain in comparison to what noble ladies usually wore, to Hisana they looked like something only a queen would possess.
There was also a door to a small private garden filled with cherry blossom trees. The sweet scent calmed her nerves and made her feel like she was still in her lover's arms.
Hisana needed all the comfort she could get.
After Daiji had stormed out, Ellie had come back into the kitchen to see her in the embrace of another man. While she may have been a very violent woman, the tea house owner was not without her intuition. Her olive eyes quickly assessed the situation, her face sinking into lines of disapproval. It was then that Byakuya had suggested Hisana come with him and she had not been in a position to disagree.
Hisana was hurt by Ellie's reaction but in her heart she could not blame the other woman for jumping to the most straightforward conclusion. She had also known Daiji for much longer so it was only natural for her to not necessarily take his side but to lean in his direction.
Byakuya had not taken her to the Kuchiki Manor but to the Suzunami Manor for her own safety. He reminded her that Ryodoji Benin still resided within those walls. Hisana didn't like the idea of Byakuya returning to a home where another woman lived. When she had mentioned it, he reassured the her that any feelings of jealousy were unfounded and unnecessary.
Hisana sighed at the complicated and confusing situation. Was this how her life was going to be now?
She then heard the distinct sound of footsteps coming down the hall. Hisana turned to face the door, a large smile on her face, but when the shoji screen slide opened it revealed not a man but a woman.
Hisana's breath caught in her throat. She was beautiful, simple stunning. Her hair was shimmering red, the color of a fiery sunset that fell flawlessly past her shoulders. She was tall, well not really, but certainly taller than the peasant. She was slender, but even through the heavy folds of her traditional maroon kimono, Hisana could see she was not without curves. Her posture gave away her noble birth as she stood with her back perfectly aligned and shoulders straight.
Then there were her eyes. The peasant had never seen a more perfect shade of green, the exact color of a leaf on an ancient oak tree.
Hisana felt so plain just being in the same room as this lady. Yoshino was also lovely. Were all noblewomen this beautiful? Vaguely she recalled what her dear friend had told her about Ryodoji Benin. Despite her… personality flaws… even Yoshino could not deny the fact that she was gorgeous. She was said to be almost as tall as Byakuya and had a very… voluptuous figure. Her hair was long and wavy, lavender in color and her eyes were akin to molten gold.
Just the thought made Hisana so insecure about her own looks.
"Apologies, I did not mean to interrupt. I was under the impression that this room was empty," the other woman said in a genuinely sweet voice. The sound of it made Hisana stutter like the fool she was.
"Umm… I'm…I'm just staying for a short while… Seigen-sama has given me permission…"
The noble raised a slender eyebrow at the words. "I see. And what is your name?"
"Hisana, Sato Hisana," she replied nervously. For some reason the woman did not state her name and the peasant did not feel comfortable asking.
It was at that moment that Hisana realized she had been so distracted by the beauty of the other woman, she failed to notice the tell tale signs of tear streams along her high cheekbones.
"Um… please forgive me for asking… but… is everything alright?" the seated woman asked with uncertainty.
The scarlet haired lady paused for a moment before answering. "No, everything is not alright. I am in a situation where my daughter might be taken away from me." The pain in her voice was sincere. Hisana could recognize it because she too knew the agony of losing a child.
"I'm sure it will all turn out well," the violet eyed woman said optimistically with a small smile of encouragement.
The woman's leaf like eyes looked intently at the room's occupant… as if studying her. "I take it not everything is fine in your life either."
"Yes and no. I… my life has drastically changed recently… and I'm not sure what's going to happen next…" Hisana said while lowering her head to the tatami floor.
"I see. Well you said 'yes' so something positive must have happened."
"Well… I'm… I'm engaged," Hisana said while smiling sheepishly, a light blush staining her pastel cheeks.
The lady's pink lips rose at that. "Congratulations. When did he propose?"
"Last… last night actually. In fact, he tricked me into accepting," Hisana replied while softly laughing at the memory. The other woman joined in. "He certainly sounds like a catch. What's his name?"
Before there was a response, another set of footsteps were heard outside the room. Both women turned to face a pair of shocked slate eyes.
"Byakuya-sama," Hisana said breathlessly. The green eyed woman looked over to her before facing the man again, her expression becoming one of understanding. The peasant, who could not see the exchange that was taking place, continued to smile until she noticed her lover's uncomfortable expression. "Byakuya-sama, what's wrong?" She rushed over to his side, placing a warm had on his cheek.
"Apparently I am interrupting," said the noblewoman with a very calm voice. Before she exited the room, Hisana called out to her. "Wait, I did not get your name."
"It's alright. I'm sure we will be running into each other soon enough," she said cryptically with a sad smile before shutting the door behind her.
After she left, Hisana turned her attention back to her fiancé. "Byakuya-sama… are you alright?"
The death god took her rounded face in his hands. "I should be asking you that. You have had a hard day."
Hisana's violet orbs closed as she laid her head on his chest as arms wrapped securely around her petite waist. "You are here now. That is all that matters… what's going to happen next?" she asked with uncertainty.
"I will need to speak to my grandfather and take care of that pest named Ryodoji Benin," he said her name with utter loathing.
"And how will you do that?" she whispered into his robes.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
She looked up into his face, her eyes narrowing not in anger but confusion. Did he think her so simple that she would not understand? The price saw through her expression. Hisana was truly an open book but he loved that about her.
"It is all very complicated Hisana. I don't want to worry you."
"Byakuya-sama…"
"I know what I'm doing. We will be together. This I promise." He then leaned in and took her mouth in a deep kiss that spoke of his commitment to her and she melted in response. Alas, all too soon they broke their lips apart when the need for air became apparent.
"I am truly sorry I have to leave you but Seigen will be here if you need anything. I will return as soon as I can."
She nodded sadly but then remembered something important. "Oh I almost forgot! I meant to give this to you earlier. It's just a little response to your poem." She handed the slip of paper anxiously.
He took the note and began to read.
"Are we not like two birds
Flying with one wing
Through many lifetimes?"
His expression did not change which made Hisana very nervously. "I… I know it's not up to your standards… but… I…" her explanation was cut off as his lips descended on hers once more. He kissed her forehead before turning and leaving.
The death god didn't get far when he was confronted by a certain female red head, her emerald eyes staring directly into his.
"For so long I thought you were too… reserved… to love anyone. I was wrong… you just couldn't love me… its good… I'm… I'm happy for you." She left before he could respond.
Byakuya gave a tired sigh. He certainly did not like the fact that he was hurting Konoka. What made it worse was the fact that it was unintentionally. Though he held no romantic feelings for the noblewoman, they had grown up together and he truly cared for her.
That was the thing about love. It was impossible for someone not to get hurt in the end…
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(Inuzuri)
"TAKE THAT AND THAT AND THAT AND THAT!"
The sound of two boys screaming at each other eclipsed the sound of their sticks hitting against one another. Finally the wood gave out from the abuse and both broke cleanly in half.
The boys froze for a moment. "YOURS CRACKED FIRST! I WON! I WON!" they yelled simultaneously. Unsurprisingly, they decided to settle this with their fists. They descended on the ground, punching and kicking the whole way.
Finally one of the boys with distinct red hair tied in high ponytail ended up on top of the taller one and began to hit him in the face.
Other cries of "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" were heard over the sound of the brawl. However, one person was noticeably quite and getting more annoyed with each passing moment. A glowing blue orb shot out, hitting the two children still wrestling and knocking them several feet away.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR RUKIA?" the red head cried out, spitting out dirt.
The young girl only smiled smugly. "Well Renji, someone had to break up your squabble. Look at you and Hiro! You're filthy!"
Both boys had the decency to look chastised while the two observers snickered at the scolding. Then Rukia turned her fiery violet eyes on them. "Neither of you are innocent either. You could have stopped them."
Those boys, Ryu and Shunji, looked down in shame. Rukia had this gift of making anyone feel really bad about what they had done.
"Hmm… now how shall I punish you? Hmm…" she pretended to think while the four boys stiffened in fear.
"I know…" she smiled devilishly while forming another bright blue ball of energy.
The boys ran off screaming the entire way as Rukia launched the sphere at them. She decided to give her friends a head start before chasing after them.
"Five… four… three… two," she stopped her countdown abruptly as her body stiffened. Her eyes looked around frantically… but all she saw were the burned buildings and broken weapons that littered the dirt.
Still she remained tense, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as goose bumps appeared on her skin. Her instincts, which had saved her life on several occasions, were on hyper alert with the distinctive feeling of being watched.
"Rukia, you coming or what?"
The young girl jumped in response to the sudden voice. Renji stopped to look at the girl's panicked expression, her eyes wider than he had ever seen them.
"Rukia, you okay?" he asked with concern.
She shook her head slightly, dark tresses falling into her face. "Of course I am! Who do you think you're talking too?" Rukia then took off running, leaving the remaining boy very confused. He simple shrugged and began to follow her.
It was only after both children had left that another figure emerged from one of the decayed structures. There was something almost snake like about the woman as she slithered from the darkness into the light, her long teal hair swiftly following her body. Her feet made no noise even as she stepped onto the creaking floorboards. Saffron eyes narrowed slightly in the brightness. She was a creature of darkness, both literally and figuratively. Still that wasn't what was important. The woman gazed in the direction the children had run off to…
The lips under the scarf that was tied tightly around her mouth twitching in response…
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Oh such a sad chapter. To be rejected by the person you love is so heartbreaking.
I hope you guys aren't too upset with Daiji. I know he said some truly awful things but I hope I made it clear that he really did love Hisana. He could only see her leaving him for a rich and handsome man. How would you react?
Konoka was also very hurt but obviously handled it a bit better. It's always the worst timing in the world isn't it? Oh I do love to torture my characters... but we hurt those we love, right?
On another note, a woman with a scarf tied around her mouth… where have we seen that before… and what does it mean…
Remember to comment!
Love from EvanSol0919!