A/N: I'm sorry for the late update (again). I just went thru multiple bad lucks in life. Thesis and stuff, and my I-touch was stolen. I just shut down for like a week or two. But yeah, I tried my best to finish this chapter. Pls. do review if you have any suggestions or comments
Emzy2k11 – Here's Chapter 21 :D Yey!
monsuno power – It just came out of the blue XD
kuromajin13 – Glad you enjoyed it! :)
hhhhhhh - this fanfic is not for you then :)
The servant smiled. "Today is Byakuya-sama's birthday!"
You blinked. Once, twice, thrice. "Really?! I didn't know that! I really didn't know that! I need to get a present for him!"
The servant politely laughed at your panic. "Its okay, Hisana. You still have time before Byakuya-sama's party; and I'm sure whatever gift you give him, he'll appreciate it!"
"Well~ I don't know about that gift part because I don't know what he likes."
"Give him a gift from the heart, and I'm sure it's enough for him." With that, the servant bowed and went on with her duties.
"What does that mean? Something from the heart…?" You placed your hand on your left chest and thought deeply. 'It could be anything! Anything deep perhaps! Loyalty? Friendship? Lov-'
"What are you doing there clutching your chest? Are you in pain?" Rukia stood next beside you as she looked at your face for any signs of discomfort.
You were surprised by her presence slightly. "I'm not in pain. I'm just thinking of a present to give to your brother. I mean, after all that he has done for me, the least I could do is give him a present on his birthday."
"And what have you thought of giving him?" You two started walking down the wooden hallway of the manor until you reached the cherry blossom garden. This is always the place where the two of you always talked other than your respective rooms.
You looked down at your feet as the cold hits your face. "I don't know yet. One servant told me that anything from the heart would do as… a…" You paused as you looked up, "What is happening? It's winter, right? That's not possible! See! All the other plants are dead!"
The cherry blossom garden was in full bloom; their petals stagnant in the cold winter but nevertheless beautiful. A great contrast against the white of snow. You look dubious; the trees could be fake.
Rukia glances at the pink trees. Her eyes turned soft at the sight. "You know how our clan has an affinity to nature?" She pauses for confirmation; you shake your head, "Well, our clan has a strong connection to cherry blossoms. There is this legend that the first clan leader and his wife promised under a cherry blossom tree that even though death would separate them and erase their memories as they go to the spirit cycle, there is one thing that they would not lose and forget; one place that they can return to, and that is under the cherry blossom. It's also a place where they can watch and guide future leaders and give them wise advices every Spring. This is also the reason why these cherry blossoms are in full bloom right now, it's also their way of honoring their clan leader's birthday especially since Nii-sama's also a wielder of it."
The dubious look you had plastered on your face disappeared with the end of Rukia's explanation. Instead, you look at the trees with wonder. 'These beautiful trees… this is the strongest connection between Lady Hisana and Captain. Her promised was for Byakuya to be happy, so why… Why did she hurt Captain?'
"Oh! Rukia-sama! I've been looking everywhere for you. We need your opinions in the dishes that will be served later on the event." A servant bowed when she saw the two of you.
"Oh okay. I'll be there in a minute. Sorry Hisana, I won't be able to help you find a gift for Nii-sama. But I'm sure that whatever you'll pick will be great!" Rukia waved goodbye to you and the servant followed with her soon after.
You sighed. "What am I gonna do?"
You've been wondering around the busy streets of Rukongai; went in and out of various gift shops, and yet none of the gifts available caught your eye. You sighed for the nth time today. It's already afternoon, and you still haven't found the 'perfect' gift.
"Yo! It's you again!" A certain orange-head waved at you.
"Subs! Great timing! Give me an idea for a perfect gift!"
Ichigo pondered for a moment. "Food?"
You would agree if only you knew what kind of food Byakuya wanted. "Other than that."
"Is this for Byakuya?" Ichigo's face lit up as he figured out what's the gift situation is all about. "Today is his birthday, so that's what the gift is all about."
"Yes, this is about his birthday. Can you give me a proper suggestion now?" You ask.
"Hmmmm… well he and Rukia have this strange liking in…. what was it again? The characters they sculpted before... Rukia's was this 'Chappy'; I think Byakuya liked that character called 'Seaweed Ambassador'." Ichigo's face contorted as he remembered Byakuya's strange tastes.
"SEAWEED AMBASSADOR?! A GUY LIKE HIM?!" You shouted in surprise.
"I said the same thing to Rukia, and she punched me right in the face saying that I don't understand the artistic level of the Kuchiki siblings."
You laugh as you imagined Rukia defending the talents of her clan. "Oh my god, that's funny! Well I guess 'Seaweed Ambassador' could work as a gift. Can you help me find one?"
Ichigo scratches his head in thought. "This is sorta like déjà vu for me…"
You cross your arms, "I'm not going to ask you to find a Chappy phone strap for hours. You could decline if you want to, but it'll be much easier for me to find a gift with a helping hand."
Ichigo looked uncertain.
You looked at him with pleading eyes. Puppy-like eyes to be exact.
The orange haired shinigami turned away from you, hiding a blush across his face. "Okay, okay. I'll help you."
"YEHEY!" You grab his arm in excitement.
Ichigo smiled to himself.
*Back at the manor*
The elders of the Kuchiki clan sat in a straight posture that made Byakuya stiller in his cushion. He knew that there was more than just a mandatory greeting for his birthday. The old and gray pillars of his clan would pressure him yet again to marry.
Byakuya clenched his fists.
"How many years has it been? 40? 50? Isn't it time to remarry and bring an heir, Kuchiki Byakuya?" An old man, probably in his 900th year, opened up the topic Byakuya dreaded to hear. The others nodded in agreement.
"Now is not the right time." Byakuya answered back as politely as he could.
"Why not?" Another elder inquired, "If an heir is to be made, it would ensure our clan's future."
"The Akatsuka clan has a daughter of age; attractive and well-educated. Marrying someone from their clan would guarantee our financial success." An aged woman known for her greedy tendencies spoke.
"Are you saying our great clan are in a financial crisis?!" A thin man shouted at the end.
"It would be best if we choose someone from one of the great noble houses."
Byakuya shifted uncomfortably; his feet going numb from sitting too long. Byakuya knew, he knew that marrying someone out of the noble classes would stir chaos in the council and yet, he didn't care at the time. He fought against them and won. He won for 5 decades, and was defeated in the next.
Hisana blamed herself in every direction, but Byakuya's affection for her never wavered.
His sweet and gentle Hisana.
'Now… she has completely changed.'
"Byakuya." One of the elders called him. All of them are staring at him as if waiting for a reply.
He took a steadying breath before addressing the council. "I will not marry. Not now, not today. That is my final decision."
Disapproving noises were heard from the old crowd. One of them spoke up, "Is this because of the girl living here in the manor?"
The room went silent; Byakuya's glare harden. "She has nothing to do with the matters we are discussing now. I did what was required of my duty as a captain of the Gotei."
An old lady with long flowing hair spoke. "I heard some rumors regarding the girl. It is said that she is the reincarnation of our clan leader's late wife." The old crowd grew uneasy.
The greedy old lady spoke again towards Byakuya, "Is she the one you are planning to marry?!"
"You're not planning to defy the council again… or do you? After that stunt you pulled off during your sister's execution, I doubt that you wouldn't dare try to push aside our decisions." The old man who spoke was once a trusted advisor of Byakuya's late grandfather.
"Enough." Byakuya said in a stern voice. He was not having these kinds of problems during his birthday. The council doesn't have that kind of right; speaking lowly of his sister and his actions, and they even included you.
'I remember my duty to the Gotei. My feelings should not waver.'
"Any more talks regarding this matter would be dismissed. I do not want to waste my time on arguing something that I already laid a decision upon." With that, the 28th head stood; slow and firm.
"I THOUGHT THIS WASN'T GOING TO TAKE HOURS TO FIND?!" Ichigo shouted in frustration. It was almost evening, almost the time for Byakuya's birthday celebration. You still can't find a goddamn Seaweed Ambassador plushy or whatever stuff that has the face of the said seaweed.
"BLAME IT ON THE STORES THAT WE VISITED THAT DOESN'T HAVE STOCKS OF IT!" You retorted. You've been all round Rukongai, and most of the stores you've visited was either out of stock or they don't have any. "How rare could that item be?!" You exclaimed further.
Ichigo brushed aside a sweat that trickled down his temples, "Maybe you should just think of another gift."
You faced him, "And what would your suggestion be?"
"I don't know."
You sat down on a bench and stared at the darkening skies; Ichigo followed as well. You can't just go back there and not give him something. Your legs were sore, maybe Ichigo's as well. You didn't intend to drag this gift-finding this long. You apologized to him.
"Why are you apologizing?"
You continued to stare at the sky. "I'm sorry because I took your day away from you."
Ichigo let a moment passed before he answered, "No –I mean, its fine. Don't worry about it. I actually had fun."
You kept on pondering on what to give but none came into mind. 'Maybe I should just write him a heart-felt letter?' You nudge Ichigo to get up as you did. You brushed off dust from your back and fixed your hair, "We should go back I will –" You halt your sentence midway as you raise your eyes towards a store in front of you.
"What? What is it? What are you looking at?" Ichigo followed your line of gaze, and what he saw was an art store. Ichigo thought for a moment before smiling at the twinkle in your eyes, "You know what your gift now is?"
You smiled brightly. You know what you can do; you know what your talents are. "Yes."