A/N I don't own Bleach nor do I make any profit from it
Chapter 26 - Explosive Tempers
Sara's POV
"Sara, she cannot stay here," Byakuya said firmly. I glared at him. Our argument had gone on for several days and if we spoke to each other, we would begin to argue. Airi and Takuma had been inseparable for all of that time.
"She is a little girl without a home! Do you honestly expect me to abandon her? She's from District 80 – one of the poorest and lawless districts there is! She doesn't have to be adopted by us but we can look after her and Tsukasa has agreed to take her on as a protégée. She could even be trained to be Reina's lady in waiting. We can give her the skills to do so. I will see that she is taught to read and write and I will personally pay her a small allowance and that will increase over time. You don't have to have anything to do with it if you do not wish."
"It's just another mouth to feed," Byakuya said.
"Oh, yeah, and we cannot afford to feed one little girl," I said sarcastically, "She will be working for whatever she earns! It's not as if we will give it to her free and she seems eager to do so. Also," I paused for a moment before speaking again, "Takuma seems to have taken a liking to her and hasn't left her side since the picnic. Perhaps this is the start of…a little puppy love?"
"Although I am in no position to say what bride he should pick," Byakuya started, "I was thinking of an educated lady and this Airi is in no way educated. Takuma is an intelligent boy and he will quickly tire of her…I had wanted a lady of status, perhaps even a soul reaper."
"Not if she is my care, she won't," I countered, "As I have said, I will have her whipped into shape as an educated lady in no time. As regards to being a soul reaper, she has an appetite and that means she has a good amount of spiritual pressure. We can suggest it when she is older but we will not push her into what is, potentially, a dangerous and life threatening job. I wouldn't have chosen to be a soul reaper, but I had no choice. Being a soul reaper isn't the be all and end all. There are other ways to make an honest living."
"Well, if a noble family does offer their daughter, we shouldn't turn our noses up at it," Byakuya replied, "I am all for marrying for love but status is everything in my world, Sara."
"Oh, so what made you marry me or when you married Hisana, huh," I shot at him, "We were both from District 79! I get that you fell in love with us both but you completely disregarded status when you married us. What has changed?"
"For your information, I was very young when I married Hisana. I didn't care about status because I was in love. When she died and I met you, you were a refreshing change. Intelligent, beautiful and witty, you drew me in. But then you became a soul reaper and a well respected officer, a match my family elders couldn't say no to, despite the fact you lied about your status the first time."
"You keep bringing that up don't you," I hissed, "Yes, I was wrong to lie to you. I have no excuse to offer other than I was scared and frightened of being cast out or being executed because I knew it would happen if I was discovered. I'm sorry if I'm such a disappointment to you and what you're really saying is, you would have disregarded me completely if I wasn't a soul reaper of some kind."
A pregnant pause passed between us and I turned away from him, "That isn't true," Byakuya whispered, "I would have found some way of bringing us back together again."
"But you were too caught up in your pride, Byakuya, and if it wasn't for that day in my Captain's office, you would still be avoiding me," I pointed out angrily, "You and your pride… I had to wait twenty years for you to make up your mind; I didn't even look at another man because, in my mind, I thought I would be betraying you. I could have had a life and another husband much sooner… yet I waited for you. That's how much I loved you. Now, you're being hypocritical about a potential bride for your son. If she isn't good enough for Takuma, then I am not good enough for you."
Byakuya's eyes widened and he scowled fiercely, "How dare you say that? I fought for too long to have you," he hissed and I could feel the anger radiating off him.
"Oh, I dare, Lord Kuchiki," I said as I stormed from the room. Byakuya grabbed me roughly by the arm.
"How dare you leave me presence without my permission," He said as he slammed the door shut and I saw true anger in his grey eyes. He pinned me against the wall with his body and an arm wrapped around my waist.
Byakuya's other hand grabbed my chin and his lips roughly took mine in a rough kiss, his lips dominating mine and I fought hard not to return the kiss. Behind the beauty and elegance, there was savagery which scared me. I suppose that is what makes him the perfect soul reaper. His tongue searched my mouth, urging my tongue to reciprocate his kiss.
However, I tore my mouth from his, "I'm not going to kiss you back until you accept that little girl. All she needs is a roof over her head and a chance to earn some money. You wouldn't even need to pitch in with her costs because I would use some of the allowance you give me and my wages as a soul reaper to raise her, no extra money would be needed if that is the issue."
Byakuya stared at me, still breathless from the ravaging kiss, "Are you really that determined?"
"You know me, Byakuya, I don't give up without a fight," I replied, "My lord, please, it is the only thing I ask. I'm not a demanding wife and I submit you whenever you have want of me. In all respects, I am a good and obedient wife. All I ask is that you let me help this little girl. I was a teacher once… a carer and educator of children. It is within me to protect this child."
Byakuya gently caressed my cheek, "You're the kindest of women, my love."
"Is that a yes?"
"Then, I can't say no, can I?"
"Thank you very much," I said quietly. Byakuya sighed and leaned down to kiss my forehead. He kissed my cheek and nodded.
"If it's what you truly want to do, then I will allow the girl to stay," he said, "Sara, I love you very much; your kindness and compassion is startling. I love you for it."
I smiled slightly. I was still hurting though, despite his apology and love declaration. I knew that
I shouldn't have been so angry, but I didn't like it when he couldn't see the similarities between Airi and me. Byakuya sighed, "I would have found a way to bring us together, Sara, even if you hadn't have become a soul reaper. Although I was hurt, I wouldn't have let our separation go on for too long. I craved you every day and I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't have reconciled."
I averted my gaze to the floor, "Oh, well, at least we now know where we stand with Airi. I promise that she will not be any trouble. She seems like a good girl."
Byakuya took my waist in his arms and he hugged me, "I trust you to do a good job with this girl."
"Thank you, that means a lot," I said as I tentatively hugged him back. I looked up at him and his lips descended upon mine. This was a much more caring and tender kiss, soothing the painful tingling from the last bruising kiss. I delicately fingered his jaw line with the tips of my fingers and succumbed to kisses.
Takuma's POV
I could hear my parents arguing fiercely about Airi. My mum was screaming at my dad, saying how selfish and cruel he was – something I couldn't my head around. My father was not cruel or selfish but he didn't like the idea of Airi staying with us. My mum was saying how she would take care of Airi herself and let her become a servant and she was even going to pay her.
It had been a few days since she came to live with us and we hadn't left each other's sides once. Reina teased me saying that she was my "girlfriend", something I defended whole heartedly and with disgust. Being only a child at the time, I didn't understand the concept of love in a less innocent way. I also didn't realise at the time, my mother had considered Airi as a potential bride. My father seemed to be against the match because of her she was from, which seemed ironic as his wife, my mother, was also from Rukon.
Tsukasa and Aunt Rukia had taken us outside when Hari got distressed by the shouting. Airi followed Tsukasa around whenever she could, helping her with food preparation as we had decided to eat outside, wanting to appease my father and show him that she could be of use.
"I should go if they don't want me," Airi said as she nibbled on a slice of apple.
"My mummy wants you to stay," I replied, "My mummy says that there is more than one way to get a man to do what you want," I said innocently, not realising at the time what that meant.
Airi blinked and cocked her head to the side, "I wonder what that means."
"Yeah, I wonder," I replied as I ate a sandwich. Aunt Rukia and Tsukasa exchanged looks between them and laughed nervously.
Then, Hari picked himself up and toddled over to us sat himself down next to Airi. He seemed to have taken a liking to her because he would always sit next to her whenever he got the chance.
"Don't worry, Airi," Tsukasa said, "Lady Sara will convince Lord Byakuya for you to stay."
"I hope so," Airi replied and smiled, "Lord Takuma, can you tell me something?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"If you're a noble, why do you live in such a small house?"
"Well, we have this evil uncle who took over the family," I replied, "Our Aunt Sumi is married to him and doesn't want to be," I said casually.
"Master Takuma, don't say such things in front of Airi," Aunt Rukia scolded.
"But, it's true!"
"That may well be but Airi doesn't need to know the gory details."
I nodded and turned back to Airi, "I'm sorry, Airi."
"It's all right," she said, "I do hope that I can stay because you all seem so nice."
"Don't go, Airi," Hari said as he clung to her, "love you lots and lots."
"I hope I won't, Lord Hari," Airi said sadly. I sighed sadly, hoping that my dad would do the right thing.
Please Review!