Chapter 8.

I felt someone following me that morning, like a colossal being or a evil spirit. Rukongai had become familiar to me ever since I started searching for Rukia endlessly. The grime on the walls was familiar and the dirt on the street was too.

"You..."

I turned around to see a man in rags pointing a nasty finger at my face. I stepped back and touched my sword.

"What is it?"

"You shinigami and your great life...Why won't you take us in!"

"It's not for...me to decide. Please back away."

He tried to grab for me, but I jumped out of the way. He fell down, but got back up and lunged at me. I dodged again, but I felt a wet hand touch my shoulder. Another man was holding me and laughing, spitting as he did. I shivered in repulsion and shoved my elbow into his nose.

"Taking your anger out on me won't solve anything!"

More of their friends came along and surrounded me. I knew that I could easily escape, but I felt uneasy. They all were only just a little older than I was and I thought, once they were desperate children like me and Sachiko and Ryoshi. I was lost in thought and someone grabbed my legs.

"Stop!" I took out my blade, but I couldn't swipe down. Damn. All this time, I've been healing; I never thought I would have to hurt anyone with Tatsumaki. They gathered around me and touched my kimono and my arm. I didn't know, should I strike them, or should I...I couldn't escape. They held me down. I heard a small explosion behind me and the men holding me down fell. The others backed away. I saw out of the corner of my eye, the familiar kenseikan.

"Byakuya-sama?"

"Are you alright, Hisana?"

"I'm fine I guess."

He extended his hand and looked at my attackers.

"One more false move and you'll all be reduced to ashes. Get out of my face."

They scurried away like rats through the alleys of the streets. I sighed and put back Tatsumaki in its sheath. Byakuya held out his hand and I grabbed it, patting down my dress.

"Thank you, Byakuya-sama, but why are you here?"

"I heard that you were searching for your sister."

"Oh, right, but I have to get back before my break ends or Unohana-taichou will scold me again."

He nodded and took out a cloth to wipe my shoulder and arms with. I blushed as he took my hand and rubbed the dirt off my fingers.

"Um, I'll do it."

I took the cloth away from his hands and wiped myself. It was a pretty handkerchief with soft colors and floral designs. I tucked it away in my kimono and smiled at him. He went forward, crossing his arms as he walked.

"Byakuya-sama, where are you going?"

"I want to help you find your sister."

"That's not..." I thought about it twice. I could've said, "That's not necessary." or "I'm fine on my own." but I knew that with his help, I could find her faster. I swooped down by his side and held my hands together. Rukongai was big and each district was large. Rukia may have gone to another district in these years or may have...died. I kept myself from tearing up in front of Byakuya-sama.

We didn't find her, but we found some other interesting things and people. I saw the chubby boy again, putting on his sandal. He seemed to stare directly at us when we passed and he got all excited when he saw me. He ran away afterwards so we left that area. I saw the broken toys of children and then we headed up to my friends' graves. They were as I left them, neat and how they should be.

--

When we returned to Seireitei, Unohana tapped me on my head with a fan because I came back at dinnertime instead of after my lunch break. I laughed and asked her if I could leave the headquarters a bit and she nodded, signaling I could. I walked past the ponds and into a large open area and in the center, the Kuchiki mansion. There was always an old man either standing in the front door or behind it, but he always greeted me politely and offered me to come in. Usually, I didn't go in, because I was scared I would get lost in there, but this time, I wanted to.

"Thank you, I think I'll go in this time."

He opened the door to a well lit corridor and I gaped at the beautiful paintings and the designs on the walls. I crept upstairs and looked at the bathroom. It was all...sparkly. I couldn't help but giggle out of excitement. Observing the fancy installments of a noble made me laugh. I walked past a bedroom. For a second, I thought it could be Byakuya's or maybe one of the servants...maybe Old Man Kuchiki, but inside, it was like the bedroom of a woman's. I crept slowly inside and touched the desk of the bedroom. On the bed were small stuffed animals and to the side were picture frames. I looked at them to see a two small girls and a small boy. One had purple hair and yellow eyes. I assumed that was Yoruichi and the other girl was smiling widely and holding onto Yoruichi's arm. She was Rena. The boy next to her was smiling too with a dark head of hair and gray-blue eyes. It was Byakuya-sama when he was smaller. I looked around and saw that this was Rena's room.

She told me that when her parents died, she stayed with the Kuchikis and lived in the mansion. I was surprised that she still did live here even after her childhood. I picked up a small book from the drawer and observed it. Little doodles were etched in the corner and small chibi heads of Rena and Byakuya were engraved in the book spine. I hesitantly flipped to a random page in the book and read a page:

Dear journal...diary. Yes.
Today, we were outside playing in the yard. Yoruichi played with us and dared Byakuya to play tag with her. I tried to stop him, but he insisted and lost the match again. He's too stubborn, I think. Oh, and today, we were climbing the sakura trees again. Master Kuchiki told us to stop, but we didn't listen to him. We usually climbed on the big sturdy tree, but we accidentally sat on the young tree and its branch broke off. Byakuya was panicking and tried to hit me with the branch, but Yoruichi came and took me under her arm. Byakuya tried chasing us, but he couldn't. I felt sad for him so I told Master Kuchiki it was my fault. He scolded the both of us, but he forgot about it later. Byakuya also got two kenseikan noodles some time ago. I forgot to write it down. They look like noodles so I would often dump them in his noodles when I wasn't looking. They were strange honestly...

I couldn't read more. I put the book back in its proper place and walked around to find Byakuya. He had to be somewhere in this maze. As I past the windows, I saw that rain started to fall. It looked like it was going to be big. I continued searching and I was about to give up when I saw someone reading a book in the center of a room. Byakuya's back was to me and in front of him was a little shrine of Rena. I tried to scare him by pouncing on his back, but he flipped me over.

"Ow. Byakuya...sama."

"Why are you here Hisana?" It wasn't like a question, but more like a statement. He looked at the small shrine and back to me. I rubbed my head and sat next to him.

"Master Kuchiki let me in."

"I see."

"Um, that shrine, shouldn't you make a better one for her. It's...small."

"The size doesn't really matter. It's the devotion to it. Besides, Rena did like small things when she was alive."

"Oh...you two have known each other a long time...Was she your best friend?"

"I suppose; Yoruichi doesn't seem like a worthy candidate."

"Were you two close?"

"Yes...I suppose."

I bit my lip and stared at her portrait. She was smiling at me, welcoming me.

"Did you like her?"

"Like her?"

"Were you two...um never mind."

He stared at me and then continued reading the book in his hand. I wanted to bring the question up again, but it would be awkward. I cleared my throat and faced Byakuya.

"Did you...lo...love her? More than a friend?"

"No."

That took me by surprise, not because he said no, but because of how simple his answer was. I blushed and faced forward again.

"Sorry I brought that up."

"It's alright. Honestly, she was more like a sister to me. She was idiotic in her own way and bothered me like a little sister. I never disliked her for being so attached to me. It felt like I had someone to take care of. You've had that feeling before."

"Yes."

"That's all."

"So, have you ever felt love...before?"

He gave me that unmoving face. "May have, may have not."

He stood up and left the book on the small table in the center of the room.

"You are welcome to stay here if you like."

"I...alright, thank you."

--

I was staying in the guest's room and resting as it was raining hard outside. The storm was raging, and the rain fell constantly. I couldn't sleep much because of the noise and the lightning. The bed was soft and comfortable, but I still couldn't sleep. I decided to search for something to do in the mansion. All there was here were the paintings and expensive sculptures. I walked past a slightly ajar bedroom to see Byakuya's face in a flash of light from the lightning. I quietly entered the room while he slept and observed him. This was the first time I ever saw him sleep. He wasn't as tense like this and he looked like he was at peace.

"I..." He quietly murmured.

He must be dreaming of something. I sat down on the floor and put my head on the side of the mattress. It's nice to sleep with the presence of others, even if it was uncomfortable.

"Hisana."

I looked up to see if he actually spotted me. I saw that he was still asleep. Even the composed nobles can talk in their sleep I suppose.

"Will you..."

I played along with his dream. "Yes, Bya-kun?" I laughed. I've never referred to him like that before.

"Will...you."

"Yes, I'm listening," I told him near the ear. I closed my eyes and fiddled with my fingers. I didn't hear him speak afterwards for a while. The rain fell slower now and I was able to close my eyes in peace.

--

When I woke up, I was in my own bed. I looked around to see that the door was closed and an extra blanket was placed on me. It was late in the morning and the birds already started singing. Byakuya-sama must've already left the house by now. I changed into my uniform in my room and walked out of the mansion.

"Good afternoon Hisana-san."

"Good morn...wait, it's afternoon already, Unohana-taichou?"

"You're late today, did you know?"

"Well, I'm sorry taichou. I overslept because of the rain. It...won't happen again. I'm sorry."

She nodded and went into her office. I sat down and sighed. The air was still damp and the ground was still wet. A light breeze blew open the door, but when I tried to close it, I found Byakuya-sama on the other side.

"Oh, good morning Byakuya-sama. I...oh, I'm sorry about falling asleep in your room. I...couldn't sleep well in my own room last night."

"It's alright," he calmly responded.

"What are you doing here?"

"I have a wound on my shoulder from one of my assignments this morning."

"I'll take a look."

I led him to a bed and pulled the sleeve to expose the wounded shoulder. It wasn't too bad so I worked on it by myself. I looked at him. He seemed to have something on his mind because he always looked out the window when I looked up at him. I finished bandaging the shoulder and I gave him back his scarf.

"Thank you, Hisana."

"It's nothing. By the way, you seem troubled. Is something the matter, Byakuya-sama?"

"I think...Could you please come to my house again tonight?"

"What for?"

He started to walk away, tying his scarf around his neck. I didn't know what would happen, but I didn't reject his offer. Unohana stepped out of her office and put her hand on my shoulder.

"It's almost lunch break, Hisana. You should be going."

"Right."

--

The rain returned in the form of a cool mist. I stepped outside with a small umbrella and started to walk. I didn't feel like getting my uniform wet so I wore a nice pink kimono that Unohana-taichou was about to throw away. It looked brand new because she never wore it. The stars were dim and the moon was half full.

"Oh, Hisana, you're here."

"Hello, Master Kuchiki."

"Byakuya-sama is out in the back. He's waiting for you."

It was true, Byakuya-sama was out in the back and he was sipping on tea, kneeling on the grass. I walked next to him and sat down, smiling. There was a cup in front of me so I took it and placed my lips on the edge.

"Um, why Byakuya-sama..." I started.

"I was wondering, when you became a shinigami, it was because you wanted to have a good life and find your sister, right?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever thought that your job would interfere with your search?"

I looked down at the steaming tea.

"Well, in order for me to be here, I have to become part of Seireitei. Being a shinigami at that time was the only way."

He nodded and without warning, placed his hand on my hands in my lap.

"Hisana...I want to thank you for being here."

"Bya..."

"And I want to pay you back for everything you've done for me."

"I didn't do anything worthy of thanks," I told him. He shook his head and smiled a little at me.

"Thank you for being with me even when Rena died. I know that you honest felt uneasy around me at first, but I'm glad that you had the courage to keep me company."

"Is that so..."

"Hisana...will you."

The surrounding seemed to disappear. All I heard was his voice and all I saw was his face. I looked at my cup and its contents, the steam rising into my chin. I felt my cheeks turn red and my eyes watery.

"...marry me."

He took my hands and pulled them up to the air. I felt a large bubble stuck in my throat and waves splashing in my stomach. Tear rolled down my cheeks and gasping for a large amount of air I fell into his lap.

"Yes..." I whispered. I felt his arms wrap around my body and he pulled me up so that I was lying on his thighs and leaning against his chest. I felt the mist rain down onto my face and the soft chirps of the midnight animals. Why hadn't I realized this before...that I loved Byakuya and he loved me. A withered sakura petal flew by and was caught between my hairs. He slowly took it out and placed it in my fingers. A tear went down my chin. This was true happiness. All this felt... like a passing dream.