Itonami:Thank you for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Bleach.
Chapter 2: Finding Him
After that night, Hisana did not see her husband-to-be for two days. He was away, apparently, and fighting hollows again. Besides that piece of bad news, she found out what shinigami were. They were a group of talented people who fought the hollows and kept Soul Society safe. They were like the police in the human realm.
Back in her new home, she was allowed to wander into town as long as she had somebody accompany her. She went frequently, up to five times a day, since she didn't have much to do back at the mansion. Hisana discovered many treasures as she walked among the villagers. Beautiful flowers in which she had never seen before were being sold in bouquets and she spotted little stands that displayed amazing colored fruit.
A young man was selling one of the many different sorts of flowers at a stand. He was a handsome fellow and he smiled at her as she approached. "Good afternoon, miss! Would you like a flower for your hair?" He asked, holding out a wonderful white rose of some sort.
She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't have any money. I just wanted to look."
He cocked his head to one side. "Well, the price for this flower is your name. So, may I ask what your name is?"
Hisana laughed. "It's Utaka Hisana. Thank you very much." He handed her the flower.
She bowed and smiled again. He pointed to himself. "I'm here everyday. Come visit. Selling flowers do get boring after awhile."
So she promised and left.
Dinner went by uneventfully and she was sitting by the creek again. Solemn tears traced her cheek and fell into the water. Hisana wished for something more. She desired a friendship with the man who was to be her husband very soon. If she wanted to by happy…no, she didn't deserve to be happy. Not after what she did...
On the third day, the grandfather called her to keep him company. Hisana sat at his feet while he told stories about the days when he was a shinigami captain. As much as she was fond of the old man, she loved his stories even more.
Suddenly, in the middle of one of his stories, he looked at her closely. Gazing her figure up and down, he met her eyes again. "We need to get some new kimonos for our daughter. What do you say? Do you want to take me to the marketplace?" He asked, his mustache lifting in a way to indicate that he was grinning broadly.
Hisana was shocked. "Kimonos? O-Ojii-sama, kimonos cost so much money! I couldn't, ojii-sama."
He waved away her protests. "The Kuchiki family owns a fortune far beyond your little imagination. It is what Byakuya's father and mother would have done. I will have someone to get the carriage ready. You get yourself ready."
Hisana saw no point in arguing with the old man. Even though she had been with him for only three days, the young woman loved him like she had loved her real grandfather when she was still alive in the human world. "All right, ojii-sama. Only if you promise to tell me as soon as you begin to feel tired."
He agreed nonchalantly while he shooed her off to get ready. Smiling softly as the old man's antics, she entered her bedroom and Hisana washed her face over her water bowl which was always laid out for her in the morning. She dried her face and straightened out her old, worn kimono and tried to smooth out the wrinkles as best she could.
The petite lady slid open the door and came face to chest with an unknown person. She trailed her eyes up and obsidian eyes met her. Her stomach did a flip and twisted itself into knots. "Kuchiki-sama." She breathed blankly as her mouth went dry.
"Grandfather just informed me that you were going out." He stated, his voice emotionless.
She smiled embarrassedly. "Ojii-sama wanted to buy kimonos…for me."
"Aa. You will go to the tailor?"
She told him she didn't know where they were going. He seemed to think but he never took his eyes off of her.
"Would you mind if I joined you?"
Her blue-violet eyes widened. "N-no, Kuchiki-sama. I don't mind at all." She had been caught off guard by his question. Why was she so eager for him to some with the two of them? What was this feeling she felt whenever he was near her? Hisana hadn't even spent an entire day with this man, yet he made her feel emotions which she had never felt before.
What is he doing to me?
He led her out into the front yard where a glamorous carriage was awaiting them. Two brilliant white horses tossed their magnificent heads impatiently at the front of the carriage. Without thinking, Hisana exclaimed a noise of wonder and ran to the horses. She patted both of their noses and ran her fingers through rich manes. One of them nudged her hand for a treat. She was immediately downcast at not having a scrap of food on her.
"They like carrots." Byakuya said from behind her. He reached out his arm and he held out carrots. Hisana watched in pure fascination as the horses ate from Byakuya's hand.
A servant offered him a clean handkerchief to wipe his hands with. The grandfather soon came out with his cane. "Well, let us get going."
The couple helped him into the carriage first and Byakuya lifted Hisana in second. He went in last and shut the door. The young Kuchiki found himself alone on his side of the carriage. She was already sitting with his grandfather, asking him if he was comfortable.
"Yes, yes, my child. Go sit with your betrothed. I would like to see your face on this bumpy ride." He gestured a wrinkled hand to the space next to his grandson. Reluctantly, she obeyed, still nervous around the silent man.
The old man nodded approvingly as he saw them side by side. "Good, good."
The carriage ride was rough since the roads weren't smooth or well paved. The wooden wheels bounced over pebbles and rocks. Hisana kept her eyes carefully upon the struggling elder in front of her. She couldn't stand seeing him grab onto the seat for dear life. In the cramped space of the carriage interior, Hisana decided to sit with her new grandfather.
Just as she was about to get up, the driver couldn't avoid a large piece of rock and the carriage rocked violently. She lost her balance and fell forward. It was too late to try and catch her. Hisana struck her forehead against the seat in front of her. Stars burst in front of her eyes.
After the men helped her back up, the old man scolded Byakuya for not taking better care of his wife-to-be. Even so, Kuchiki did not apologize. He never apologized.
Hisana reassured the panicking grandfather that she was alright until something red dripped over her eye. The carriage finally stopped and the door opened. Before she could do anything, Kuchiki got out and lifted her out. "Don't touch it. It will get infected." He whispered. His warm breath tickled her ear.
"I know someone here who could help me with this. Please, I'll be only a minute." She said and hurried off into the crowd. Of course, not to lose her, Byakuya soon followed after making sure the driver would take care of his grandfather.
He saw her rush toward a flower stand. That really didn't bother him until he saw who was behind it.
A man.
Yes, it was a man, like half the population in the village. He watched like an eagle as she asked him for something and he ducked below the stand and take out a cloth and some water. The stranger went around his flower stand and stood in front of Hisana. He dabbed water onto the cloth and started to wipe away the blood from her forehead. They were laughing. Then, Byakuya saw the man step closer and he decided to act.
Swiftly walking toward them, he grasped Hisana's arm and pulled her away. "Come. We have a lot to do today. Thank you for your service." He directed the last part to the other male. Why am I so defensive when it comes to her?
What is she doing to me?
Hisana did not notice the other man's fists shaking as he fumed. She only cared that her Kuchiki-sama seemed angry for some reason
"My service! You're thankful for my service, captain?" The man sneered in outburst.
Kuchiki didn't stop walking or dragging Hisana away. "Not even a gold coin for treating your whore? I'm glad I entertained her. Who knows what else I would have done with my service!" He leered again.
Those words would not go unpunished in the name of honor of the Kuchiki family.
Slap.
Hisana wrenched her wrist from Byakuya's grip and had slapped the insulting man. "How dare you say those words to Kuchiki-sama." She whispered harshly in disbelief. "I thought you were my friend." Her entire body trembled at the sudden rage that coursed through her veins. She didn't even know what caused her to hit another person or say the words that were just uttered by her mouth.
He scoffed at her. "That's what I wanted you to believe. I would have gotten you into bed with me sooner or later."
Shing.
A sword was drawn. Its beautiful tempered blade flashed blue in the afternoon light. Its sharp point was a mere centimeter from the man's carotid artery. "Apologize for saying those words to a lady, fool, before I sever your head." He commanded with his soft, powerful voice.
Fear echoed deep in the other man's eyes. His Adam's apple jumped as he gulped. "I'm sorry, miss." He whispered. His eyes were kept on the blade.
"Your blood is waste on my sword. Don't ever approach my wife again." He said, as he sheathed his katana. Kuchiki put a strong hand on the middle of Hisana's back and led her shivering body away. The crowd that had gathered to see what the commotion was about backed away and parted like the Red Sea.
Hisana was in a daze as she walked. She was very conscious about the hand on her back and what he had said. 'Don't ever approach my wife again.' They weren't even married yet. Maybe it was to emphasize the point. Even still, she felt so happy when he said that.
"Were you attracted to him?" His tenor voice rang in her ears.
She shook her head numbly. "He gave me a flower yesterday. I thought he would have water since he took care of flowers…" Hisana trailed off, not wanting to voice her disappointment.
"Why did you defend the Kuchiki name?"
She answered without hesitation. "Because it is the name of the family who has taken me in. Because it is the name of the man I will marry. Because it will become my name." She said it so firmly that Byakuya didn't doubt her sincerity.
Silence became their other noiseless companion as they traveled down the road.
"Kuchiki-sama? Why did you tell him I was your wife?" Hisana inquired timidly.
"A few days in advance does not matter." He stated.
"Where are we going?"
"A kimono shop. We buy our kimonos from that store."
"Oh."
When they entered the store, which was filled with different fabrics, they were greeted by their grandfather and the shop owner.
"This is the woman that will be married to my dear Byakuya?" The store owner exclaimed, clapping her hands together. She spoke in an exaggerated feminine way and her figure was willowy and graceful. Even yet, her hand gestures were very woman-like.
She walked around Hisana as Byakuya took a seat next to his grandfather. The store owner daintily shook her hand. "I'm Hosukata Touji. Nice to meet you. I'll be in charge of making you over, baby!" She squealed excitedly. "Aren't you just simply ecstatic! You have lovely hair, by the by." She fingered her hair and ushered her into a private room.
"Why is your name a man's name?" Hisana asked, just out of growing curiosity.
She giggled. "I am a man with a woman's soul."
Oh. So she was a man. Well, this place was interesting.
Once inside, Touji whipped out a measuring tape and began to frantically measure her bust size, height, waist, shoulder width, and arms. He was tisking through everything. "You are so skinny! How do you do it? I've been exercising like a maniac and eating vegetables like a rabbit. My goodness! Your kimono is filthy! Come on; let's take it off, dear. You would look so adorable in those pinkish reddish colors!"
Touji practically ripped her old clothes off and threw it into the trash can nearby. He gave her a temporary yukata while he got a new kimono for her. He scurried off somewhere in the back of the store and left her to gaze around her surroundings.
Fine silk hung from the walls, and several different kimonos were exhibited. They were so intricate in design that she was afraid of how much all of it would cost. Ojii-sama had said that they weren't getting just a kimono for her, but kimonos.
Hisana was startled when Byakuya came in through the entrance door. Dressed in only the simple white yukata, she did the best she could to cover herself. He didn't seem fazed by her lack of clothes. Not even once did his eyes wander over her. A kind of disappointment set in but she didn't understand why.
"I wanted to see what kind of kimono he is getting for you." He said, noticing the shocked silence from Hisana.
"C-couldn't you have waited, Kuchiki-sama?" She suggested shly, trying to wish herself into becoming invisible.
Just then, Touji came in trough the backdoor. "Oh, pish posh! You address your fiancé so formally, dear! You do realize you are getting married in four days, don't you? So, get used to calling him something more comfortable! People are going to wonder why a wife calls her husband in such a reserved manner. Come, come, we need to dress the lady! Byakuya-kun, would you mind kindly stepping out for just a moment? I know you would love to see such a pretty girl strip for you, but this is not the time."
Without another word, he left the room and closed the door. Touji motioned irately. "Well, aren't you going to take off that yukata first? We don't have all day!"
Hisana did what she was told and the kimono was carefully put over her shoulders. She slipped her arms through the long sleeves as the tailor helped her close the front. "Now, the obi is a delicate piece. This is a wonderful silk, isn't it?"
It was. It felt like the softest running river over air. The color of blue contrasted with the pink of the traditional dress. "You can see the pattern of morning glories on the obi and the sakura blossoms on the dress. This is personally my favorite. This one will be for special occasions. The next one is your wedding kimono. Truly gorgeous."
Hisana gasped at the sight of the wedding kimono. "I'm going to wear that?"
He giggled at her astonishment. "Of course, darling! You would look great! Byakuya-kun will just love to see you in this."
The dress was the whitest of white and silver leaves appeared to dance all over the hems. It possessed much more flare at the bottom than a regular kimono. The obi was folded delicately beside it. It was a golden color with white and silver lining. She fell in love with it.
"I'll be there at the ceremony to help you get ready. It's much too risky for you to try it now. My measurements are always correct, so you don't need to worry about it not fitting…unless you suddenly gain weight." Touji said. "I'll keep it extra safe for you. Now, Grandfather Kuchiki requested that you get two regular kimonos to wear and a spring, fall, and winter haori. I've got those right here. The obis are in a separate box. Their five and they should all match with both of your day kimonos. You can pick which one you want to wear right now, and take the other one home."
Before her, the tailor set down two boxes each containing a nice cotton kimono for her. Hisana picked the green one to wear. The haoris and the remaining kimono were packed into a box for her.
They emerged from the room and found the grandfather dozing. Hisana gently woke him up. He grumbled awake and absently told her that the kimono looked nice. She thanked him and asked where his grandson was.
Just when he was about to answer, Byakuya stepped into the shop and stopped to look at her. "Are we done?"
"Hai, B-Byakuya-sama." She whispered the last part, afraid he would disapprove of it. The change of address went unheard.
He turned to Touji. "How much will you take?"
The kimono maker glanced up at the ceiling to think. "Since Hisana and I got along so well, the two regular kimonos are my present to her. The wedding kimono and the other one, and the three haoris cost…mmm…I'll just send you the bill."
Kuchiki nodded. "Thank you for all of your help."
The three of them left the store and climbed in the carriage which was awaiting them.
"Do you like your clothes?" Kuchiki asked, keeping his eyes upon his tired grandfather.
"Yes, I like them very much, Byakuya-sama. Thank you." She said softly.
He remained silent. Hisana decided to break the silence. "Byakuya-sama?"
"Aa."
"What does a hollow look like?"
The man gazed at her even though it was hard to see in the dark since night fell. "They look like monsters concocted from a child's wildest imagination. It is something that I hope you never see…Hisana."
It was at that moment, the moment where he called her by name, which Utaka Hisana realized she had completely fallen in love with a man she was arranged to marry. Never had she felt so complete before. She wondered if he felt anything for her. It didn't seem likely, but then again, she was finding out more and more about him. That was enough to satisfy her.
Author's notes: Well, another chapter complete. Hope you liked it. I don't believe this story will be so long, maybe five or six chapters at the most.
Please read and review!