Good Day everyone and Happy Holidays to all from yours truly, Yukiko of the Snow. As a holiday treat, I have finally updated this story after a one year absence.
Now, just a little heads up; this chapter might be a bit...awkward. Nothing that would mentally scar anyone for life. Let's just say that this was one of the reasons why I decided to give this story a T-rating; you know, besides all the swearing.
Chapter 36: Hot Springs Chaos
It was quite silent as Byakuya and Hisana walked back to the inn. The mortals had retreated to their homes for the night. The woodland creatures were hiding from them. Even the crickets refused to sing their song, as if they were aware of the turmoil between the two Shinigami. But Byakuya was thankful for the stillness. They were both covered from head to toe in mud and had all sort of twigs and leaves tangled in their hair. Any passerby could easily mistake the pair for a couple of filthy vagabonds roaming the streets, not the prestigious noble couple they were passing themselves off as. The darkness did well to hide their shame from the world and let Byakuya hold on to what little dignity he had left.
Though I doubt that is even possible at this point… Byakuya thought as he glanced over his shoulder towards his partner. Hisana was meters behind Byakuya, constantly keeping a safe distance from her fukutaichō. She held her head down, focusing on the ground instead of Byakuya; as if the very sight of him disgusted her. And understandingly, she wasn't speaking to him once again.
"It was fortunate that those hunters were passing by or else we would had spent the night in the woods." Byakuya said, in a desperate attempt to break the silence between them. "Wouldn't you agree, Tsumura." Hisana looked up at him, but instead of a reply, she simply gave a soft groan before turning her focus to the ground again.
What a mess I've made for myself. Byakuya sighed as he looked forward once more. One woman's silence was bad enough, but Byakuya had the misfortune to deal with another angry woman; a far more vicious woman. His Zanpakutō had been unusual quiet all afternoon. Normally Senbozakura would have already commented on the incident that took place this afternoon. But she was silent as well. Byakuya was hoping it was because she didn't witness his shameful behavior. But Byakuya knew his Zanpakutō too well to make such assumptions. Senbozakura was quite the busybody that never missed anything that involved her master, especially if it was something embarrassing that she could hold against him. If he had to guess, she was probably so livid that she couldn't find the right words to express her utter disgust with his behavior. Most likely she was just biding her time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to unleash her burning fury so Byakuya would never forget to behave himself in the presence of a lady. But Byakuya wasn't worried about Senbozakura's impending hell storm in the slightest. Byakuya was more concern with his strain relationship with his partner. Just yesterday they had both agreed to get along for the sake of the mission. And here he was, screwing everything up; just because of his vile male instincts. Though it pained him to even consider it, the only option he had was to apologize to her for being a lewd idiot. At least that way, they can begin cooperating again. And who knows, perhaps it would lessen his punishment from Senbozakura.
"Tsumura." Byakuya halted and turned to Hisana who had stopped as well. She looked up at him, the first time since this afternoon. "I want to apologize for what happened earlier today." He expected her to groan and look away, just as she had done before. But Hisana didn't. She was still listening to him, her eyes still focused on Byakuya. With a sigh of relief, he continued. "My intention was never to disrespect you in such a vulgar manner. I can assure you that this incident does not reflect my feelings towards you. To me, you are simply an ally; nothing less, nothing more." For a fleeing moment, Byakuya thought he saw a hint of disappointment in Hisana's face before she sighed heavy.
"It's alright, Byakuya." Hisana said as she drew closer to him. "I know it was an accident. If anything, it's my fault for picking a fight with that stupid pig in the first place." Her glare veered towards Byakuya's cheek, still red from the slap she had given Byakuya earlier. "And I guess I'm sorry too; I shouldn't have hit you the way I did. You just startled me, that's all." Byakuya could only stare at Hisana, astounded that not only did she forgive Byakuya, but that she had apologized without being told to. And here he was, thinking that she would be just as difficult as ever. Maybe he was wrong about her. Perhaps Hisana was more sensible than Byakuya gave her credit for.
"Thank you, Tsumura." Byakuya replied as he smiled back at her.
"What was that for?" Hisana gave him a confused look. She was probably expecting him to answered back with some sort of insult.
"Nothing." Byakuya turned away and carried on down the road. "We should hurry back to the inn before we encounter any unwanted enemies."
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"Oh my!" Shrieked one of the inn maids as Byakuya and Hisana walked into the inn, covered head to toe in filth. "What on earth happened?"
"We were taking a scroll through the woods and just happen to slip into a puddle of mud." Byakuya responding, avoiding eye contact with the maid. "but that is beside the point. If you could prepare a bath for us."
"But of course. There is a hot spring located on the grounds, if you would like to freshen up."
"that would be great, thank you very much." Hisana say.
"let me just fetch you two some bathing robes." She said as she disappeared into a room. A few moments later she returned with a pair of white bathing robes. "you know," she started as she held the robes out towards them. "even though the hot springs are separated by men and women, I have no problem if you two would like to bathe together."
"Absolutely not." The pair simultaneously said as they received the bath robes from the maid.
"that's quite already." Hisana said followed by a nervous laugh. Hisana could tell by the girl's questioning stare that she was confused by their sudden rejection. Not that she could blame her; what married couple wouldn't want a chance to fool around in a hot spring, unless they weren't really married. "We wouldn't want to cause any trouble for you. But thanks anyways." And with that, the two Shinigami turned away and walked off in the other direction before the maid could say another word to them.
"What a strange couple." The maid quietly muttered to herself. Though they claimed to be married, they certainly did not behave as such. It appeared that they could barely tolerant one another's presence. Yet again, they were from a noble family, so they must have some difficulties expressing affection towards their spouse. "I supposed that how most pairs from noble families behave."
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"What a day." Hisana sighed heavy as she submerged her weary body into the soothing hot water. She didn't realize how exhausting it was suppressing the eager to beat Byakuya Kuchiki to a bloody pulp; especially when the jackass has had it coming all damn day. The fact that he was still alive after groping her was proof that Hisana was more forgiving than she should have been. But then she let out another sigh. "At the same, I can't really hold every incident against Byakuya. It's not like he did all those things on purpose. Not even he can be that stupid."
But still, Hisana leaned back against one of many boulders surrounding the springs. Hisana thought that she would be more furious with Byakuya after the whole groping incident. Instead, her heart would start to race every time she would recall that memory. Maybe it didn't upset her as much as she thought it did. And maybe, just maybe, Byakuya may have felt the same way.
No, no, no! Hisana shook her head vigorously, as if to shake that notion out of her head. It isn't anything like that! I can't stand that stupid man! But no matter how many times she told herself that, the thought of Byakuya being attracted to her was making her heart flutter around her chest. Stop thinking that way, Hisana. She told herself. Byakuya doesn't have the slightest interest in me anyways!
"My Poor little confused Hisana." Ryu materialized around Hisana's shoulders. "But I can't say I blame you. It's not every day that you get molested by some brutish bastard like Byakuya Kuchiki. Something like that would surely mess with anyone's head."
"Get out of my head, you damn snoop!" Hisana said as she tossed the Zanpakutō spirit into the water. "And for the last time, Byakuya did not molest me!"
"Really now?" Ryu asked while swimming on his back. "Then what do you call having your lady chest manhandled by that shameless lowlife?"
"Cut it out, you idiot!" she cried out. "The dumb boar just scrambled Byakuya's mind and he didn't know what he was doing at that moment. As if the 28th head of the noble Kuchiki clan would go out of his way to grope me intentionally."
"Are you positive about that, Hisana?"
"Of course, I am." She shot back as she splashed water at him. "Byakuya said it himself that he only sees me as a comrade. Besides, He is probably the finest man in the Soul Society; why would someone like that be attracted to an ugly commoner like me?" Once again, Hisana felt that revolting little sense of disappointment creeping up on her. It wasn't as if they were lies. Byakuya could have any woman in the Seireitei; it was foolish to think that, even for a moment, that he would see her as anything other than a total nuisance. The small reptile eyed his master, confused over the strange look on her face. He was certain that Hisana hated Byakuya with every fiber of her being. So why did she seem almost distraught at the idea that Byakuya would never be interested in her. If anything, she would be jumping for joy at that aspect. Unless…
"Hisana?" Ryu asked as stopped in front of Hisana, just as she took a sip of water. "You like Byakuya, don't you?" The sudden claim made Hisana choke on her drink. "Oh, my goodness, you do like him!"
"Are…are you insane!" she tried to deny, though her flushed cheeks made it apparent that she did. "Who could ever like a jackass like Byakuya Kuchiki!"
"Obviously you." Ryu replied. "Or are your cheeks red just for the hell of it?"
"Shut up, you pint size bastard! The water is just hot! It has nothing to do with Byakuya, you got that!" But Ryu wasn't listening to his master. He was too distraught over the revelation that his master may have fallen for Soul Society's most obnoxious man.
"How horrible! To think that my sweet little Hisana has been seduced by that despicable demon known as Byakuya Kuchiki!" He fell back on the water. "Even after he had forcibly taken her innocence!"
"STOP TALKING!" Hisana screamed as she plunged the small Zanpakutō spirit deeper underwater. "STOP TALKING! STOP BREATHING! STOP LIVING, YOU OBNOXIOUS, FORK TONGUE, SON OF A BITCH!" While Hisana was preoccupied with drowning her meddlesome Zanpakutō, a loud rustling sound near a bush caught her attention. "What's that?" She released her hold on the semiconscious dragon, who floated back to the surface, and slowly crept towards the scrub. As she pushed the bush apart, the sight of the horrid little creature hiding inside cause her to let out a high-pitched scream.
Let's us turn back the pendulum just a bit
"You truly are a pitiful excuse for a nobleman," Senbozakura telepathically reprimanded the young Shinigami as he sat alone in the hot spring. Just as Byakuya had predicted, Senbozakura was waiting to get him alone so she could properly chew him out for his unruly behavior. Luckily for Byakuya, Senbozakura was too much of a dignified lady to appear before Byakuya while he was bathing. So at least he didn't have to face her or risk getting slapped in the face with her overgrown fan.
"It's been a long day, Senbozakura." Byakuya replied while wiping the mud from his body. "And I certainly don't need you rubbing salt into my wounds while they are quite fresh."
"Quit with that pathetic whining of yours!" Senbozakura screamed out, her shrill voice echoing through her master's head. "I assure you that you won't be getting any compassion or sympathy from me, you disgusting little weasel."
"Then leave me be, wretched spirit!" He shot back. "I have grown tired of your endless badgering. You behave as if you were the one who I wronged. I don't understand how you could be more upset about this situation that Tsumura is."
"That is because that stupid girl is just as dense as you, if not more." Senbozakura responded. "As if someone who grew up in the pits of the Rukongai would know anything about civility or proper conducts. Who knows, maybe behavior as such was common for her kind."
"Bite your tongue, you harridan!" Byakuya hollered back at his Zanpakutō spirit. Normally he would be cautious to raise his voice at Senbozakura, especially when she was in one of her moods. But something about Senbozakura's belittling of Hisana had struck a nerve this time. Hisana may be a pain, but she was not the scum of the earth that Senbozakura thought. "Do not speak down to Hisana Tsumura while in my presence! As her superior, that honor belongs solely to me. And never forget that." But before she could answer, the silence of the night was broken by a loud shriek. Byakuya suddenly recognized that cry.
"Tsumura!" Byakuya shot up from the water. Had the hollow ambushed her while she was bathing? Or worst. Without wasting another moment, he raced towards the women's hot springs, hoping that he wasn't too late.
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"Disgusting little beast!" Hisana cried while she flung the lifeless snake over the other side of the wall with a stick.
"Don't you think you might have overdone just a tad bit?" Ryu asked as he looked at all the destruction caused by his master. Hisana was so fixated on destroying the snake that she had broken a couple of decorative vases, de-rooted several nearby bushes and even managed to crack a large boulder that had been positioned at the edge of the water. "I swear, only you would make such a commotion over something as small as a snake that isn't even as long as your arm."
"Shut it or you'll be next, you weasel with scales." Hisana tapped Ryu on the head with a stick. "Besides, that stupid snake had it coming anyways. What type of sickening creature sneaks up on a girl in a hot spring anyways."
"Tsumura!" She heard a familiar voice shout out to her followed by a splash.
No… Hisana thought as she turned towards the entrance. He wouldn't be this brainless. But to her dismay, not only had Byakuya just barged into the women hot springs, but he was totally naked. The jackass didn't even have a towel, flashing all his manly wonder at Hisana and her Zanpakutō.
"MY EYES!" Ryu cried out as he dropped into the water. But Hisana did not have the luxury of hiding as her Zanpakutō. All she could do was stand still, praying that a bolt of lightning would strike her dead at that very moment.
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"Tsumura!" Byakuya called out as he stumbled across the water. "Tsumura, what's wrong?" He quickly scanned the vicinity for any signs of hostile forces. Luckily, he found nothing out of the usual.
Stupid girl. Byakuya let out a sigh of relief as he made his way to his partner. Making me worry over nothing. But as Byakuya approached Hisana, he couldn't help but notice the absolute horror thoroughly displayed on her face. Her cheeks drained of all blood, her eyes opened wide like a startled deer. Perhaps something was wrong with her.
"Tsumura?" Byakuya said once more. "Speak, woman." He skimmed over Hisana's body for wounds, Byakuya realized that Hisana was completely unclothed. He was so concerned about Hisana's wellbeing that he had forgotten that Hisana was currently bathing. And to make matters worse, in his blind rush, Byakuya had forgotten to cover up his own shame and stood before Hisana, naked.
The two just stood there, completely motionless for what seem like an eternity. Byakuya tried to look away as a man of his status should never leer at a woman in such a manner. But no matter how hard Byakuya tried, it was impossible to veer his glaze away from her. Despite being considered the most sought-after man in the Seireitei, this was the first time that Byakuya had ever seen a naked woman. And though he always thought himself above such immoral behavior, he couldn't help but be completely mesmerized by Hisana's feminine beauty. Her lovely curves, her creamy complexion, her petite figure, her round bosom… Suddenly Hisana let out a loud shriek as she quickly sank down into the waters, releasing Byakuya from his trance like state.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Hisana screamed as Byakuya stumbled backwards, falling into the hot springs. He tried to respond, but he was in such a daze that he couldn't find his voice to reply. Not that it would have done him any good. What could he have said to defend himself at this moment. He Abruptly felt a sharp pain as some blunt object stuck him in the head, sending the unsuspecting man backwards. "GET OUT!" Hisana cried out as she picked up another stone to throw at her fukutaichō.
"Tsumura…" Byakuya said as he tried to get up, only to have another rock tossed at him.
"GET OUT, YOU GOD DAMN PEEKING TOM!" She screamed once more as she begun flinging anything she could get her hands on at Byakuya. "GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!"
There is no point reasoning with her at this moment. Byakuya got to his feet and made a quick exit before Hisana could start throwing boulders at him.
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Once again, Byakuya stood outside the room that he was sharing with Hisana, contemplating whether he should even bother going in or not. He had some stupid things in his life, but this little fiasco trumped them all. To think that not only did he accidently see his partner in such embarrassing state, but that he had exposed himself to her as well. It was times like these that he wished that the earth would open and shallow him whole, sparing him the mortification of having to look Tsumura in the eyes again. But he knew that he was to have to face her eventually and there was really no point in delaying the inevitable. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the door and slid it open. Hisana was already on the bed, probably claiming it for herself. A claim that Byakuya wasn't going to dispute. He figured after what he had put her through, the least he could do was give her the bed for tonight. And this time, he planned to sleep on the floor; no matter how horridly uncomfortable it was going to be for him. But as he closed the door behind him, he noticed a knife in her hands.
"Tsumura," he called out as he cautiously approached her, fearing that he may had pushed the girl pass her breaking point. But instead of responding, Hisana dug the blade into the futon and began to vigorously saw through it. Byakuya swiftly pulled Hisana away from the futon, knocking the blade of her hand. "Have you gone utterly insane woman!"
"Let me go, asshole!" Hisana twisted around to escape Byakuya's hold before being pushed backwards. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" She screamed as she got to her feet.
"I could say the same thing." Byakuya said, trying to regain his usual calm demeanor. "Mind explaining why you are destroying private property?"
"As if you didn't know." She calmly picked up the knife only for Byakuya to slap it out of her hands almost immediately. "Will you cut it out!"
"I told you to explain yourself Tsumura." He demanded once more.
"What does it look like, you idiot?! I'm cutting the futon in half to avert a repeat of last night. Because it's obvious that you have only one thing on your mind, you pervert! Seriously, the last thing I need is for you to try something while I'm unconscious."
"Do not make such outlandish accusations against my character, you vile pest!"
"Outlandish accusations my ass!" Hisana cried, pointing the kitchen blade his way. "You slip into my bed while I'm sleeping. You stared at my chest whenever you had the opportunity. You squeezed my right breast the first chance you got, in broad daylight if I may add! Now tell me again how outlandish my accusations are."
"Gladly. I can assure you that I did nothing inappropriate with you last night; I merely slipped under the covers and fell asleep. So, you can disregard any twisted fantasizes that your depraved little mind has manage to conjure up. Furthermore, you did not catch me staring at your chest; I was the one to mention to you that you were showing off too much skin. And as for the boar incident, it was obvious that the fall distorted my better judgement. If anything, that mess was your fault for provoking that stupid beast in the first place."
"Really, then please explain the purpose of bursting into the women's hot springs without a freakin' towel!"
"Because I was concern for your safety, you stupid halfwit!" Byakuya shouted, something completely out of character for her fukutaichō. His eyes suddenly widened, realizing the enormity of his sudden outburst. He turned his gaze away from Hisana. "When I heard you scream, I rushed towards you without even considering covering myself. Because,". Byakuya cheeks started turning a slight hue, almost as if he were embarrassed to admit that he was concerned for her. "I was afraid that if I were to waste any time, it might have cost you your life."
"Byakuya," Hisana didn't really know what to say. Yes, Byakuya had seen her naked and that alone should have earned him a good ass kicking. But he did it because her cries had worried him. and though he had acted stupidly, he had nothing but good intentions.
Can I really be mad at him for wanting to protect me? Hisana asked herself.
"But," Byakuya looked up at her with his usual cool composer intact. "I will gladly ignore your cries next time. You can get devour for all I care, little ingrate."
Stupid asshole! Hisana gripped her had around the handle of the knife. Just when she thought that there might be some good deep inside that ass's heart, he had to go and prove her wrong once again. He's nothing but a pompous prick!
"I should have known better than to expect any good from such an egomaniacal asshat like you!" Hisana yelled. She had tried to make peace with Byakuya, but she was no longer able to hold back her anger. However, being that Byakuya was never one to shy away from confrontation, he took a few steps towards her.
"You best watch your mouth, Rukongai trash." Byakuya glared down at Hisana. But Hisana was not backing down either. She raised her shoulders as she also walked closer to him.
"ARROGANT DICK!" she retorted loudly, not caring anyone else could hear their arguing.
"STUBBORN WRETCH!" Byakuya replied, also disregarding his voice level.
"ASSHOLE!"
"SHE-DEVIL!"
Byakuya and Hisana just stood there, locked in a vicious glare. Neither of the two were willing to stand down for the other. It was only after few seconds that they both realized that they were dangerously close to one another. Hisana's chest was pressed up against Byakuya's and their noses were practically touching to the point they would accidently kiss if Byakuya or Hisana made one wrong move. And as if fate was trying to make the moment even more awkward, images of the unpleasantness they had endured just an hour ago, began to replay in their heads. Their face simultaneous turned a bright red and they both rapidly pulled away. Byakuya clutched his chest tightly, afraid that his racing heart was about to jump out. He never thought that he would find himself in such an appalling situation, especially with this little miscreant.
"Give me that!" He snatched the knife out of Hisana's grasp and turned his attention to the futon. Though he knew that tearing up the futon would not help matters between them, but there was no way he would ever be able to share a bed with that woman; not after what he had seen. Byakuya made quick work of the futon, slicing it in half before cutting up the covers as well. He tossed the knife to the side and pulled his half of the futon clear across the room. "Now let's never of this night again." Byakuya commended before slipping under the cover and turning away from her. And without another word, Hisana blew out the lantern and did the same.
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Damn it all to Hell. Hisana cursed as she stared aimlessly into the darkness. She should have been asleep by now, but that was impossible. She knew that the moment she lost consciences, she would probably start recalling that horrible memory. She couldn't even close her eyes out of fear that the image of Byakuya's bare body would instantly pop up the second she let her guard down.
"I guess there is no other way around this." Ryu appeared on top of Hisana's head. "We're going to have to kill Byakuya."
Could you please be serious for once? Hisana replied.
"On the contrary, my simple friend; I'm dead serious about it." The small dragon dropped down in front of Hisana's face. "Let's face it; that disgusting memory will forever be engraved into that tiny mind of yours. And the way I see it, you have to either kill Byakuya or gouge your own eyes out; both opinions I will gladly help you with."
If you're not going to give me some good advice, then get the hell out of my face. Hisana pushed the small dragon away, hoping to end this obnoxious conversation. I've already had a shitty day and you are not helping.
"I'm trying to help you but you're so stubborn." He just crawled back towards her, like the little pest he was. "I can guarantee you that I feel nothing but pity for you right now. To think that you saw that man in his birthday suit. How repulsive."
And you talking about it isn't making the situation any better!
"Now everything you look at him, you'll remember every detail of Byakuya's bare body." Ryu carried on, as if he were enjoying the pain he was causing his master (which knowing him, he probably was).
Stop it. Hisana tried to ignore him, but it was useless.
"From his well-toned chest,"
Knock it off.
"To his royal family jewels and p…" Hisana didn't let her Zanpakutō finish that statement as she grabbed Ryu by his snake like neck.
I will say this once and only once, she pulled the dragon close to her, her venomous glare piercing through the darkness. If you ever describe that man's body to me again, especially his junk, the punishment I'll deal will leave you begging for the sweet embrace of death. Do you understand, you goddamn lizard! The frighten Zanpakutō spirit nodded vigorously before he disappeared to the safety of his realm. God damn pain in the ass. Hisana let out a sigh as she turned to the right. But as she opened her eyes, she saw that Byakuya was staring at her; For how long was anyone's guess. Their eyes met for only a moment before they quickly turned the other way. Her heart was racing at the sight of him and she was certain that Byakuya's was probably the same. How the hell were they going to finish the mission when they couldn't even look at each other without turning as red as a damn tomato.
We need to finish this mission quick. Hisana thought as she covered her flushed face with her pillow. Before we both go insane. Hisana spent the rest of the night wondering where and how hard she would have to hit herself in the head to induce amnesia. Hell, at this moment even Ryu's offer to gouge her eyes out was looking rather tempting.
A/N: There you have it! An update before the new year. Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long for a new chapter. Maybe by mid January to early February. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year