Chapter 5:

Byakuya's POV

I woke up this morning early, as usual. I heard that Grandfather was home but it had been too late last night to greet him. Hopefully I had woken up early enough to catch him while he's still here. I do not normally talk to anyone now that father's gone. The servants treat me differently and that were cat only comes when Grandfather comes home. Then again, who really wants to talk to that? All Shihoin wants to do is make me angry and 'play' tag. She's no friend, more of a nuisance that has to be shown her place. I threw on my usual training gear and walked out of my room in a hurry. I reached the courtyard and paused. There was a woman snooping around dressed in odd clothes. I didn't see her face but I knew that she was not one of the servants. No one here would dare show up in such ridiculous wear.

"Hey! Who are you and what are you doing here?!" I called. The woman turned to face me quickly and looked at me oddly as if she were trying to figure out who I was. "You must be Byakuya." she assumed, without introducing herself. How rude of her, who does she think she is?! "Yeah, I know who I am. Now answer my question." I demanded to know, she was definitely not a servant. "I guess you're entitled. I thought that your grandfather would have told you by now." she explained herself then introduced, "I'm Heather. I guess I got up a little too late or got lost, or something, because I was supposed to meet your grandfather somewhere…I don't recall where though."

Was that really the best excuse she had? I looked at her skeptically, she was different. Not by just her clothes but by her mannerisms, her hair, even her stance. She seemed more relaxed than anyone I had ever run into. Even Captain Kyōraku, when he would stop over for matters that concerned business, would have a run for his money, yet she did not look like a slob. As a matter of fact, she looked…Cute. "I would appreciate your help, Byakuya. If you want to, that is." she suggested submissively with a charm filled smile on her face. The action made my knees go weak which took me by surprise. I growled, as I felt myself wanting to give in, feeling a little warm all over. "Fine." I stated trying to maintain my composure which (let's face it) was a failure from the start. I pray that she did not notice my discomfort. Her smile widened and I felt a heavy heat flow up my neck and pooled around my cheeks. Damn it all! Not here and in front of her!

"Shall we go?" Heather suggested either she was being merciful and ignoring my now possibly red face was or she simply did not notice. Fat chance on the latter, knowing my luck with…when was I ever near a girl that did not work here? Shihoin was never much of a girl; more like an 'Ick!' than anything else. "Yeah," I stated nervously and took the lead, trying desperately to not embarrass myself again.

It took a little bit but we both made it to the right room where my grandfather was waiting. "I should have known that you would have gotten lost, Heather." My grandfather remarked and greeted me, "Good morning, Byakuya. I see that you have met our guest." "Good morning, Grandfather." I greeted in reply. "Sup?" Heather greeted which had resulted in both my grandfather and me looking at her oddly. What did she say exactly? 'Sup?' what did that mean? "I mean, hi!" she corrected herself, and then explained, "I'm sorry I am late, I kinda got a little lost. If it weren't for Byakuya, I'd still be going in circles."

My face grew warm once more, and cursed my own body for being so weak. Grandfather had looked at her and asked, "Why are you still wearing those garments?" Heather looked down apparently she was supposed to change clothes. "Because they're comfortable?" she answered uncertainly. "I can see that but why haven't you changed?" he inquired, not letting up. "Oh, funny story: I tried but I ended up failing, miserably. I have no idea what I had been doing wrong." Heather tried to blow off her ignorance as if it was nothing, but I could tell that she found it extremely embarrassing. My grandfather sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Byakuya, please see her to the kitchens where she could eat and bring her to her room, I will send a servant to help her."

I looked at her, how could she not know how to do something so simple? "Yes, grandfather." I replied before I lead her away. It was a few moments before I plucked up the courage to ask, "Where did you come from that would make you not know how to dress?" I could have hit myself. The way the question was asked sounded so much better in my head. I must have offended her because she replied in a light snap, "I'm from America, we don't dress like you do." "Oh." was all I could reply, how could have I been so stupid?!

I'm not quite sure what was going through her head and immediately felt bad. What must she think of me? "It's pretty much an "anything goes" kind of society, really." Heather told me in a softer tone. I guess she felt as bad as I did. "Oh?" I asked, relieved that she was still willing to talk to me. She nodded in confirmation, a light smile on her face. It must have been permanently etched on her face since it looked so effortless. "Mhm, you should see the prices for ripped clothes, it's ridiculous for something you can do yourself." "Why would people want something that is obviously useless?" I questioned, clearly confused. Why the Hell would somebody want a bunch of ripped up crap?! That was the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of.

She shrugged and half-joked a reply, "It's bigger than both of us."

I continued to question her as we ate and I tried my best to no bombard her before she could finish. Heather didn't seem to care about the questioning; I guess we were both enjoying each others company. I wanted to keep the conversation going as much as I can without sounding too eager to talk to her. She seemed so cut loose compared to every one I knew. "So… what did you like to do?" I pried shyly; I could not believe how that sounded. Just like a little kid, I had to keep her attention somehow…wait—why should I care? She's a total stranger!

"Oh I really liked hanging with Emily and John, playing video games, drawing and writing fan fictions." Heather replied with a sad sigh. John? Who the Hell is that?! I actually felt myself getting a little angry that some other guy is holding her attention. Maybe he's just a friend of hers from that other dimension she told me about. "This John… is he your friend?" I inquired, the name left a bitter taste on my tongue. "He was a lot more. I don't think I'll ever see neither him nor Emily again." Heather replied in a melancholy tone and pushed the half eaten food away, obviously too upset to think about eating. I immediately felt bad about bringing up such a touchy subject. On the up side: I was able to keep her company when she needed me. This was her home now.