So I've had at least two papers due every week since I've been back. Since I actually got some free time, I decided to treat myself (and you all) and write!
Thank you ShiradikuOokami, ScarletLeaves and Kaze05 for the reviews!
First to RukiaGallega: It took 25 chapters before you asked if there was something wrong with me? ;)
Yeah it is a bit of a soap opera. I've had plenty of exposure. My grandmother loves "Days of Our Lives" for some reason. Don't worry, no one is going to die, come back to life, get stuck on a random island, be cloned or lose their memories if that makes you feel better. And that's pretty much all of the backstories too.
Honestly I don't think I can come up with another one. I think I've used every type of abuse there is: physical, sexual, emotional, mental, psychological (not sure what the difference is from mental), financial, social, spousal, social… any other "als" I'm forgetting but I'm sure there in here somewhere!
Now for the normal life comment, I will quote my friend Renee: "Normal is only a setting on a washing machine." Besides it's more fun to write about the bad than the good, at least in my opinion. It keeps things interesting.
Now for Byakuya, the issue is whether or not he should have sent Hisana's uncle to Hell. The fourth Bleach movie (which I loved but I felt it was very rushed) is perfect. Koktou was sent to Hell for killing his sister's murderer. It was in the name of revenge not justice. Same for Byakuya. For any other shinigami it would have been just another job and they wouldn't have known the details. This was personal and that's where the notion of a line being crossed comes into play. Also, do you think Hisana would have wanted it? Yes it was for her and all the pain she had suffered but was it also for himself if you know what I mean.
Yes Ran is evil, but can you understand why she is the way she is? I think a story is more interesting when you can really get into the mind of the villain. Some people are born evil but others are created. I like the created one more. And Hisana only endured a few months of abuse (though she never should have suffered in the first place even though I wrote it) but Ran went through decades. It's enough to twist anyone's mind.
Now Luna, what is so confusing? These are just two brothers who love each other enough to kill. I don't see the problem. It's kind of sweet if you think about it. ;)
Now about "Yuki", what do you think she saw? I'm curious to read some of your theories.
FINALLY the plot is getting back on track. Now I just want these fullbringers to go away and never come back. Seriously, RENJI was able to take one down easily. When's the last time he won a battle by himself? Oh, that's right NEVER! (No I don't hate Renji but he's not my favorite either. Too much like Ichigo in my opinion)
I just want Byakuya to kill that bastard Tsukishima and painfully too. Thoughts on his new look. The haori with the tassels is fitting but I'm not sure about the kenseikan on the back of his head though I do like him better with his hair down.
SPOILER FROM 446: Why does every villain think they're God? Haven't they ever heard of hubris? First Barragan, then Aizen, and now Yukio? At least the first two were actually powerful. Kid's out of his league.
Fair warning: the last scene is a little graphic and not in a pleasant way. You'll see what I mean.
Anyway, own nothing and please comment!
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(The Kuchiki Manor)
The council room was more awake then he had ever seen it.
Amatsuki Bansui sat with growing amusement at the reactions of the other elders.
They were in a strange mixture of emotions, ones including excitement, nervousness, and terror. Kuchiki Ginrei had called this gathering a few days before without any warning and with no stated purpose.
Calling it a shock to the system would have been an understatement. Council meetings were arranged weeks, if not months, in advance and always for a well-known reason. That allocated plenty of time for the backroom dealings to take place so that these assemblies were reduced to nothing but a formality. Now the Head of the Kuchiki Clan was going against this time honored tradition.
To the conservative elders this was nothing more than an act of revolution. The one thing the nobility hated and feared more than anything else was the unexpected. It was amazing none of them had gone into shock though some looked close to fainting.
There was also only the bear minimum of elders and, noticeably, no one from the Ryodoji Clan.
"I wonder why that is," Bansui thought arrogantly, his triumphant cerise eyes glancing over at his rival.
Miyahara Ran sat with perfect poise and, to the untrained eye, was completely calm… but he could see through the façade. She was too tense, lips pressed together in a straight line, dark orbs narrowed. Now this was entertainment. Seeing the great and powerful Miyahara Ran looking like she was on the brink of a nervous breakdown was beyond satisfying. And he knew what to do to push her over the edge because he was the only other person to know exactly why this meeting was taking place.
The main door opened revealing Kuchiki Ginrei, captain's haori and scarf and all. The elders stood and bowed in reverence.
The 27th Head took his place at the forefront of the chamber and motioned for the others to be seated.
The other no show was the heir apparent, a fact not lost even on the dense elders. Ideally, Bansui wondered what kind of woman, especially one from Inuzuri, would have pushed Kuchiki Byakuya to go against everything he had ever stood for. Well, he would know soon enough once his spies infiltrated the Suzunami Manor.
"Elders, the Kuchiki Clan is going through some changes. It is becoming clear to all involved that a new, younger generation will soon come in." The silver haired man stopped as muttering broke out through the room. Bansui heard some of the comments.
"Is Ginrei-sama ill?"
"Is he planning on stepping down?"
"What is going on?"
"As such," he started up again and everyone fell silent, "I feel it is necessary to reexamine some earlier decisions and make sure they are best for the longevity of our great clan. Does anyone have any comments?"
There was dead silence at first with no one sure where exactly this was going.
"Umm… Kuchiki Ginrei-sama," a small and very nervous man stood, "You have called us here so… so surely there is a particular decision that you wish us to address," he said while ringing his hands.
"There is. I wish to reconsider the potential benefits and detriments of my grandson's engagement to Ryodoji Benin."
The room erupted into noise, everyone asking questions all at once. Well not everyone. Three people were conspicuous silent, the most important in the entire room.
Bansui watched Miyahara Ran's every action, seeing her eyes close in anger. Then she stood and everyone fell silent as quickly as they had for their master. This was going to be good.
"Kuchiki Ginrei-sama, I ask you why this is necessary. Kuchiki Byakuya-sama and Ryodoji Benin-sama have already signed the betrothal documents and this very council has ratified it. Once something has been agreed on, especially something as important as a marriage treaty with a powerful pure-blooded family, it cannot be undone unless something emerges that would forever dishonor the Kuchiki name. It is the law that has been in place for generations. Do you have any new information that would cause the contract to become invalid?"
Ran's words had calmed many of the elders as they always deferred to the traditions argument, but Bansui had heard her emphasis on "pure-blooded" and "forever dishonor" and so had Ginrei. There was no way that he was going to reveal that the "new information", the very catalyst for this gathering, was that the heir had not only fallen in love with a Rukongai tramp but had actually proposed to her as well. There would have been several simultaneous heart attacks if he had.
"I am well aware, Miyahara Ran. I am not calling for the end of the contract. I simple want to confirm it is best for the Kuchiki Clan."
"This treaty has been in place for many months. Why are you suddenly now questioning it?"
Ran was trying to goad Ginrei into telling the truth since she could not, at least not if she wanted her allies to start questioning why she had not informed them of this new knowledge. For someone as secretive and paranoid as Miyahara Ran that was intolerable.
Well, Bansui had his own reasons for needing to keep this a secret.
"Is that how you speak to the Head of the Kuchiki Clan… Miyahara-dono?" the Head of the Amatsuki Clan asked, standing with the aid of his trustee cane. "On paper this seemed like a very prestigious union with such a strong family… but that was before we met the woman who was supposed to be the next Lady Kuchiki. She has some, how shall I say, certain characteristics that may not be properly suited for the role."
If looks could kill Bansui would have been drawn, quartered and hanged. Ran was beyond livid that another unspoken rule had been broken. In an arranged marriage, personality wasn't considered. The other elders began to murmur again, all thinking about the many things Ryodoji Benin had done. That was a long list.
"On paper is the only thing that matters, Amatsuki-sama. The Ryodoji Clan is an old and powerful family. They will be very insulted when they find out about this meeting…"
"Are we supposed to be concerned with the pride of another clan? Yes the Ryodojis are a distinguished family, but they are still inferior to the Kuchiki Clan, the greatest in all of Soul Society!"
If the elders loved the traditions standpoint, they worshipped the status of the clan more.
Ran looked around, angry eyes silencing the rabble with a single glance. She then began to walk toward her master, speaking the entire way. "I admit that Ryodoji Benin-sama does have flaws, but don't we all? What is more important is that her blood is as clean as it can be and her family has a long history of producing captain level shiningami. They withdrew from Seireitei after the lowlifes of Rukongai were allowed to enter the Gotei 13. Now look where we are! We have Zaraki Kenpachi standing as an equal to the Head of the Kuchiki Clan!"
She turned back to the other elders, orbs blazing. "What's next? Are we going to allow the mixing of Kuchiki blood with that of peasants!"
The murmuring began again. That was the last thing any of the elders wanted and exactly what the prince wanted.
"As Kuchiki Ginrei-sama has said, things are changing but that does not mean it is for our benefit. We must protect ourselves least we be reduced to nothing."
Her words rung through the room with many heads nodding in agreement. The noble clans were losing respect in the Gotei 13 at a rapid speed. The Shiba Clan had lost the Ninth Division, the Shihoin Clan was almost torn apart when Shihoin Yoruichi disappeared and was then forced to watch her old bodyguard take possession of the Onmitsukido and Second Division, and the other two great clans hadn't produced a captain-level fighter in many years. The Kuchiki Clan still had firm grip of the Sixth Division and had two heirs with captain-level potential but there was a clear loss of prestige among the aristocracy. What was needed was a tightening up of who could enter the clan if it wished to survive. That was Ran's strategy, scaring the elders into submission.
But Bansui had other ideas.
"We are all aware of that my lady, but that does not mean that we should not look at other factors. No one is suggesting the mixing of blood, I highly doubt Kuchiki Byakuya-sama would dare think of something that scandalous," he said with a smirk and noticed both the woman and the head tense in response. They now knew that he knew the truth.
"We have all come to know who Ryodoji Benin is and I am sure that some of us may have… reservations. She dresses inappropriately, many of her servants have had noticeable injuries, she's drained part of the treasury building a new wing on the manor because her original chambers were too 'outdated' and she's friends with women with… questionable reputations. While a proper bloodline will always be the dominating factor, such things cannot be overlooked."
"Who then would you have Kuchiki Byakuya-sama marry if not Ryodoji Benin? Can you name another lady with her credentials?"
"No," Bansui answered but cut Ran off, "But tell me, what is the rush? Byakuya is still very young and in perfect health. And if something were to happen to him, Gods forbid, we have Koga as a suitable second heir. Honestly my lady, the way you speak is as if a woman from the lowest ring of Rukongai is going to be our new matron tomorrow," he ended with a chuckle as some of the other elders laughed at the absurdity. The other half was worried about the prospect of Koga somehow replacing Byakuya as the next head. "Besides, it is obvious why you would support such a notion. You arranged this marriage after all. Your own hubris will not allow any insult… now will it?"
There was a collective gasp at Bansui's bold worlds. The ambitions of others and their motivations were something that was not mentioned in public. That would imply that nobles were selfish and caddy, completely undermining their image as being interested in the advancement of the clan as opposed to themselves. This was simply unprecedented.
Ran's eyes widened in shock. She brazenly stormed out of the room without a word, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Everything was literally being turned on its head and the other elders did not know what to do about it.
Ginrei then stood. "I can see this issue has touched the hearts and minds of many. This session is adjourned until all of you can decide how you feel about such matters."
After the head's departure, the council room broke apart in a series of conversations that clearly showed outright panic. Many tried to come up the Amatsuki leader but Bansui brushed them off.
He understood why the elders were in such a frenzied state. On the one hand there was Miyahara Ran's position of tradition and clan honor, as well as a healthy dose of fear. Then there was his argument against Ryodoji Benin's personality and whether or not they wanted to obey the bitch and her meddlesome family. Added to that was Ginrei, who was seriously considering breaking the engagement. To go against the head meant that their own positions may be compromised. The head was still the head after all.
Then there was Byakuya's position. Everyone knew he hated his fiancée but the council members would simply die if they knew the truth.
In the end it came down to who they were more afraid of, Miyahara Ran or Amatsuki Bansui. That was a difficult choice.
Walking through the hallway, the older man was hobbling, his ancient legs sore.
"I know what you're doing," a voice called out from the shadows.
Oh he loved the look on Miyahara Ran's face. It was proof of his position.
"I know what you're doing and you will not prevail. The elders may hate me, but they fear a leader with Amatsuki blood more. I don't know what Ginrei is up to but he will regret this as well."
"You should be careful of your words. That almost makes it sound as if you're willing to kill the Head of Kuchiki Clan. Or is the peasant whore the one you are already trying to kill?"
He could literally see her teeth grinding together then she stormed off once more. For a moment Bansui almost felt sorry for the poor spy that would be on the receiving end of his mistress's anger. Almost.
The tyrian haired man was in the mood for a celebration and decided to call on a certain friend of his tonight.
What Bansui did not know was that the moment Ran had turned her back on him… a small yet significant smirk appeared on her lips…
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(The same time, Inuzuri)
It was strange to be returning to Howling Dog after spending a few days at the Suzunami Manor. It seemed even more dilapidated than ever before. Was this how Yoshino felt when she came here?
The small woman stopped her thoughts there. The situation with her friend was too painful to think of at the current moment. Her words still ringing in Hisana's mind...
"What part of this is so hard to understand! He's the heir to one of the Five Noble Clans and you are a street rat from Howling Dog! Do you think you're in a fairytale of something? The 'gallant' prince rescuing the fair maiden 'and they live happily ever after'! This is not a child's story! The Kuchiki Clan is dangerous! There's this one elder, Miyahara Ran. She arranged his engagement to that bitch Ryodoji Benin. She is a power-hungry, conniving witch! Some say she killed her own father! And she's not alone. These people will do anything! If he really loved you then he would leave that god forsaken clan with you. But no! He wants to bring you into this world!"
"Did he tell you about the rest of his 'beloved' family? His father died in battle and his mother was sick for many years before she passed away. He also has an aunt that was in an arranged marriage, before her husband got himself killed, and has two children. Her father-in-law, Amatsuki Bansui, is utterly without mercy and has his grandson Koga brainwashed. Everyone knows that they are conspiring to have Koga succeed as the next leader of the clan. It wouldn't surprise me if they've already come up with a way to make that happen if you know what I mean. The youngest is named Nanako. She's just a child and she's already betrothed to a boy whose parents 'suddenly' passed away and whose aunt and caretaker is rumored to have people buried in the backward! Then there's the Ryodoji Clan itself! They are an old family, proud of their lineage. When they learn that Kuchiki Byakuya has broken his contract to one of their females for a woman like you they will retaliate. Hisana… there are ways to have you killed that not even a death god can stop."
"What's wrong? Don't tell me that your 'fiancé' didn't tell you all this himself? Oh, wait, why are you surprised? He has never told you the truth. I did. Was it worth it? To lose Daiji and Ellie all for a man who couldn't even tell you his name?"
"Hisana, what is wrong with you! Yujin tricked me into falling in love with him and look what happened to me! They don't care about anyone but themselves. He probably has a reason and when it's revealed it will only cause you more pain. How many lies will it take before you realize what he is?"
"If you won't answer those questions then let me ask you this: would you still be doing this if you were already the Head of the Kuchiki Clan? I highly doubt it, Kuchiki Byakuya. You know better than all of us how being the heir of a family how different from actually being the head. The difference in responsibility and power is as vast as the gap between a captain and a vice-captain. If you had already succeeded Ginrei then it wouldn't be the future of the clan you would have to worry about but the actual standing of the family at that moment. All the decisions will be on you with no one to fall back on. Someday, Kuchiki Byakuya, you will be forced to make a choice, a real choice between someone you care about and the 'honor' of the family name… and you will choose wrong. That's the kind of person you are."
"I don't know. I don't know whether or not I can watch you do this to yourself. I need to think…"
It had been very painful to hear such things even more so that they were true. She and Byakuya had a long discussion when they returned to the Suzunami Manor about what Yoshino had said. He had confessed that everything was correct and even admitted that he was afraid to tell her the truth. For a man like Kuchiki Byakuya, saying anything related to fear was very difficult.
So now she knew that there was true evil in the world she was entering and it would be very dangerous, but she also knew that Yoshino was wrong about several things.
Not all nobles were as selfish and heartless as she claimed.
Seigen had been nothing but cordial and even promised to introduce her to his adopted children. Since they too were outsiders they would know, to a degree, how she was feeling. It was funny that an adult would seek advice from children but it was said that wisdom often flowed from the mouths of the young.
After her meeting with Kuchiki Ginrei, Hisana knew that he truly loved his grandson and wanted him to be happy, even if it meant going against their customs. The respect for him in Byakuya's voice was also testament to the man's character.
Then there was Konoka. The two women had become fast friends and now spent much of their free time in each other's company. The noble especially loved talking about her daughter. The red head's breathtaking eyes simply glowed when she spoke of Shiyo. It was clear she loved her child more than anything to which Hisana couldn't help but feel envious of. She wondered if she should speak to Byakuya about it. They were going to be married after all. Wouldn't that mean he too wanted a child? He would certainly make a wonderful father.
Black hair swayed back and forth as she shook her head, cheeks reddening in response to her wayward thoughts. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things. She needed to focus on the situation at hand.
The rickshaw stopped at her old home. The tiny tea shop looked the same as always, but what had once been a place of refuge was now one of apprehension. Hisana remembered all too well what had happened the last time she was here. Daiji's face still ripped her soul but she could not change that.
One of the guards helped the small woman to her feet. Hisana had insisted she did not need an escort but Seigen had been persistent.
"Please Hisana-san. Byakuya would skin me alive if something happened to you. Well not so much as skin but shred me into a thousand pieces. What's with that confused look? Have you never seen his zanpaktou? Ask him next time. But please let these men accompany you. For me."
His green orbs had been pleading and so she accepted the protection.
Her own violet eyes instinctively looked around the street. It was a force of habit that whenever she was out in Inuzuri to look at every shadow. Maybe, just maybe, she would be standing there.
Alas there were no children around, her heart sinking further into her stomach.
Hisana asked for the guards to remain outside. They objected at first but after a few battering of her eyelashes (which she had discovered worked very well on Byakuya) they relented.
Taking several steep breaths, she opened the door to the familiar scents of what she now recognized as cheap tea and musk.
She knew that early morning was the least crowded time as most residents were still in a drunken sleep. The tavern was mostly empty save for a man reading one of the few books in Inuzuri, a couple near the front and a woman sitting in the shadowy corner. Silently thanking the spirits that Daiji was not there, the peasant walked up to the figure with floor length rose hair, tanner skin and an outfit that barely covered her.
Olive green orbs looked up to see the violet ones of her former employee.
"Hisana."
"Ellie-san."
Rolling her lips slightly, the tall woman motioned to one of the tables. Both sat down across from one another.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon. I actually thought I might never see you again," the owner said in a hushed voice.
Hisana looked down at the faded wood. "You are my friend, Ellie-san. Of course I would come back. I… I owe you an explanation."
"You don't owe me anything."
"Yes I do. You took me in when I had nowhere to go and I didn't tell you about the changes in my life. I wanted to but… I was afraid."
"Afraid I would disapprove? You were right about that." Ellie sighed, running a hand through her already messy tresses. "I don't need to know the backstory nor do I want to. I'm not hurt that you didn't tell me, though I'm surprised that after we've known each other for so long you wouldn't feel comfortable enough to say something, but it's for Daiji's sake. You know how much he loves you."
Hisana could not stop the guilt and at this point it was useless to try. "I know and you know that if I could have I would have returned his feelings… but how can you ask someone to battle their own heart?"
"I know I'm not being fair. Of course you can't… but I can't help but take Daiji's side. After everything he's done for you, you go and do this. He came here last night crying. Actually sobbing in despair and you know how proud he is. Can you blame me?"
"No. You've know Daiji-san for a very long time. Believe me I hate myself for hurting him. And you. And Yoshino-san."
"How much did she know?"
"I… I told her that I was seeing what I thought was a guard stationed at the Kuchiki Manor, the Kuchiki Clan being among the highest of the nobility," Hisana quickly explained as Ellie, like the majority of lower residents, had no clue about the workings of Seireitei. "She was actually the one who accidently revealed the truth. She… well it's a long story."
"Like I said, I don't need it."
"Well she is very upset. I know she wants what's best for me but she is blocked by deep prejudice. It's justified, given her history, but she does not realize that while evil exists in all forms of life so too does good."
There was a slight pause in the conversation. Ellie really wanted to ask a certain question, well two questions, but was worried about the fragile woman's reaction. Hisana clearly did not know how horrible she looked. Her skin was sickly white, black locks even more disheveled than usual and her eyes were still red. She was on the brink, being eaten alive by her own guilt. That was her greatest personality fault. She always took the blame for everything, seeing it as a sign of strength, when really it was the definition of weakness that tore a person up inside. In the end, she decided to take a chance.
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
Ellie took note of the expression on her features. Most women would be smiling and giggling at the idea of new love, going on and on about the reasons why… but Hisana was serious and that just proved her conviction. True love did not need a justification.
"And does he love you?"
"Yes."
Again no explanation. None was required.
The tan woman stood and walked around to the other side of the table. Hisana looked somewhat confused and was completely taken aback when Ellie literally pulled her into a hug, easily lifting the small woman off her feet.
"Ow… ow… too tight…" the trapped peasant choked out. Ellie had a tendency to forget her own strength.
Finally setting her down, she smiled which was immediately returned. Words were not needed to understand the exchange.
"Thank you," a violet glance said.
"You're welcome," olive orbs answered back.
Wiping some of the tears from her face, Hisana turned to leave, feeling a little bit better. Her relationship with Ellie would never be the same again, a thought that hurt, but at least they would have a relationship. It was the best she could hope for.
Before exiting, her feet suddenly stopped as she felt someone's gaze upon her. Turning she saw that the woman who was sitting in the shadowy corner was still there… staring directly at her. She had a very unusual appearance. Her skin had a purplish tone despite the semidarkness she was in. Her hair was long, straight and had a tealish gloss to it. Then there were her eyes, gleaming saffron that glowed in the lack of light. Hisana was taken aback by the intense look in that yellow gaze and sought something else to look at. That's when she noticed that the woman had a tea cup in front of her… but there was no steam coming from it though it was still full. Why would she have ordered a cup of tea when she hadn't taken a sip? Well she couldn't really. Not with that scarf tied around her mouth.
Shuddering slightly, but for a reason she did not know, Hisana moved faster out the door… the golden gaze still upon her retreating form…
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(Later that night, The Amatsuki Manor)
"And then she stormed out of the room. The shock she left behind was tangible."
Bansui was sitting at his opulent desk in his equally opulent chamber. He was clothed only in a black robe that was open revealing his dilapidated chest; his ribs and bones could be counted.
In comparison, there was a woman lying in his bed, still young and beautiful. Long orchid hair pooled on the satin sheets, a blanket was around her waist revealing her breasts, and cyan eyes were glued on the cerise orbs of the man's.
"Interesting. Then she confronted you in the hallway. Miyahara Ran actually confronted you?" Hayakawa Mizuho asked. It was too incredible to believe. She had known the elder for years and had never seen such a reaction. Mizuho had actually doubted whether or not Ran could get angry. At least in public.
"You question me, my dear? I know it sounds unbelievable but remember everything is completely falling apart for her. Women do not respond well when something doesn't go their way. No offense," Bansui said with a superior tone in his voice.
Mizuho let the comment go for she had other questions.
"And what of the peasant girl? Have you gotten a good report on her yet?"
Bansui had to laugh at this. "Oh yes. My spies have caught up with her alright."
"And?" Mizuho asked with growing impatience.
"She is Benin's opposite in every way. One is tall, one is short. One is curvy, one is petite. One has narrow golden eyes, the other large violet eyes. One has long purple hair, one has short black hair. One has an ego that could swallow all of Soul Society, one actually has a heart."
"And personality wise?"
"Exceptionally naïve. When she marries Byakuya she will not cause any trouble, that I am sure of. Though it appears she does have a past, no surprise from a woman living in Inuzuri. Apparently her relationships with her friends have become strained due to her involvement with Byakuya. Also, it appears as though another man was in love with her but she rejected him."
Mizuho scoffed at this. "Of course she did. No matter what, a gold digger is a gold digger."
"The thing is I believe she is truly in love with Byakuya and he in turn must love her," Bansui replied with a chuckle. Funny, he did not think the boy was even capable of love. You learn something new every day.
"How do you know this isn't some grand scheme to enrage Benin and her family?" Mizuho asked. If this was some sort of plot then her own plans needed to be changed.
"Please, Byakuya isn't clever enough to come up with something like that. Despite all his powers, he has no talent for politics. Did I mention how they met?"
Mizuho's interest was heightened as she motioned for Bansui to continue.
"It turns out that the peasant became friends with a certain noblewoman before she even knew Byakuya. Can you guess who? Utagawa Yoshino."
The lady could not stop a shocked look from crossing onto her face. What was Utagawa Yoshino possibly doing in Inuzuri in the first place? And more importantly, what did Yujin think of this? He must have known. There was no conceivable way he did not. This was an unexpected and unwelcomed development. Yujin was also very ambitious and would undoubtedly try to use his wife's friendship to his advantage. This was the man who had tricked a woman into marrying him in an elaborate plot to overthrow his father. He was not someone to be taken lightly.
"From what I've been able to gather, Yoshino snuck her little friend into the Kuchiki Manor on a few occasions during that whole time when the mansion was, ironically, preparing for the signing of the marriage contract. My guess is that's when she met Byakuya. He didn't even tell her his true name. That's why I'm convinced she is actually in love with him. She could have used his feelings to escape Howling Dog. The life of a wife of a Kuchiki guard is a hundred times more preferable to a life in the slums and yet she choose to stay. I'm planning on finding out why soon enough. I also suspect that Ran found out early but decided that Byakuya having a concubine, even one of inferior birth, was no threat. Though the fact that he would even meet with such a woman was a red flag she should have noticed. And now she is paying the price for her negligence and arrogance."
Bansui was done talking and stood up, removing his outer robe at the same time. The bed was close enough that he did not need his cane and he soon crawled on top of the woman.
"You worry too much," he whispered in her ear as his hands began to roam. "Miyahara Ran will soon be discredited and destroyed. Byakuya will marry the whore. The elders will turn against him. Koga will succeed as the next Head of the Kuchiki Clan. And with our combined power, no one will be able to compete."
Mizuho played her part with convincing but fake moans. Banusi was not fooled but did not particularly care. This wasn't the most pleasant experience but it was almost no price compared to the advantages of being aligned with Amatsuki Bansui. Mizuho simple compensated by taking other, younger lovers. Ones she easily dominated.
Her mind was far away as he began to enter her. There was something wrong with this entire situation. The Miyahara Ran she knew would never make such obvious mistakes. These were the sort of moves a rookie would make but not an experienced politician. No, she had to get to the bottom of this. Perhaps she should arrange a little meeting of her own…
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Well, I'm sorry for putting that last image into your minds. Believe me it wasn't pleasant from this end either.
The War of the Elders is in full force! Who will win! Place your bets!
Now back to school work about how Greek philosophers shaped our modern political thought process.
Oh joy.
Comments please!
Love from EvanSol0919!