Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Author's Note: For reference, I did a bit of research to find things that were all in one time period and would overlap with my concept for this story. While this story is a Bleach and Fairy Tail crossover, I ask that you all have patience in how slow I will be updating this, along with the fact that I don't think this story will be more than 10 to 20 chapters long.
Author's Note 2: November is National Novelist Writers Month, aka Nanowrimo! I will again be participating in it. And this year I am going to solely focus on all my Fairy Tail Stories. So, my other stories will not be updated during the month of November. Sorry, not sorry. I am still going to leave this fandom after they are all done. And if, at some point, down the road I find my love for FT again, I will come back with new stories and hopefully a less toxic fandom.
Year 832, Month August, Day 18
Lucy stood up and pressed her hands into the small of her back as she smiled at what she had accomplished. It had been over two weeks since being brought to this place. Rukia was definitely a delight to be around, except for mornings. That girl never wanted to wake up and get ready. Then again, they were the same age, roughly. And having finally found a routine that worked for both of them had been a wonderful thing.
Of course, Lord Genrei had cautioned her to not talk about her past, or rather her origins. So, Lucy had explained that she was from the country and that she left her family. It wasn't a direct lie, no, and skirted the truth while still being the truth. Turning Lucy, Lucy bent over to grab the basket. Today was linen day, and it was already hot and humid. The next thing on her list was to wrangle Rukia to get her to practice on her Gaku Biwa. It was an instrument Lucy knew how to place, so she could make it easier for Rukia.
"Oh, the young master is home!"
"Really! Well, you know what that means, right?"
"Oh, you are so naughty."
"Hey, if the young master has preferences, then so be it. I won't deny a summons... and I know you wouldn't either."
Lucy felt heat rush to her face as she openly blanched as she made her way back to Rukia's rooms. She had not met the eldest of the two brothers, not that she wanted to. Hearing the maids and the other staff talk about Koga Kuchiki was more than enough. In fact, if she could, she would try her damnedest to avoid the man without being rude.
Sighing as she stepped upon to wrap-around veranda, Lucy made her way back to her Mistresses rooms. Already she could hear Rukia complaining about having to sit still and practice. Pressing her lips into a thin line to keep from openly smiling, Lucy paused and knocked softly on the Shoji door. When Rukia's voice called for her to enter, Lucy slid the door open, stepped in, and shut it softly behind her. Though her eyes were trained before her, she snuck a peek at a petulant Rukia as she made her way towards the back of the room to store the basket for now.
"This is boring; why does grandfather wish for me to learn this thing? And I heard Koga is back; I want to go see him!"
Once the basket was stored, Lucy came back and sat a foot behind Rukia, where she was kneeling on a pillow, the 4-stringed Lute across her lap.
"Young Miss, it is important you learn to do these things. If you marry into a good house, your husband will expect you to act like a lady and help entertain his retainers and visiting guests."
Lucy knew very well what the matron who was in charge of teaching Rukia was getting at. Still keeping her eyes on her lap, head held low, Lucy allowed herself to smile widely. She could relate to how free-spirited Rukia really was since she was that way. Though that had changed, and a harsh reality became her life. A part of her wanted to help Rukia, but that would expose her knowledge and skill. Then again, Rukia was mischievous so that it couldn't be a bad thing?
"Miss! Don't make that face; you are a daughter, even if it is by marriage, to the Noble Kuchiki house. And I think Lord Genrei has been more than patient with you. Do not forget that you can be whipped still for disobeying."
Lucy stilled and held her breath, her mind flashing back to her childhood and having Sarah beat her with a bamboo cane when she didn't do something the right way, the first time. When a Mullen apology came from Rukia, Lucy peeked up through her black-stained hair to see the Matron sniff disdainfully as she stood.
"Well, as long as you remember your place here," the woman snapped. "That is all. Practice for an hour, and I will come back and check on you. My time is better spent on those who actually have the will and drive to achieve."
Flinching internally, Lucy watched as the dour woman left and shut the Shoji door a bit harder than she should have. Once the footsteps faded into the distance, Lucy waited until Rukia turned and faced her.
"What do you think? Am I really so helpless?"
Lifting her head, Lucy looked at Rukia before replying, "No, Mistress, I do not think so. I think that you have the talent and aptitude and do not wish to see you hurt. If I may be so bold to ask you a question?"
The way Rukia looked sadly at her before bobbing her head, causing that short hair to shift around her angular face.
"What is it you want to do? I mean, playing the Gaku Biwa is actually easy as it only has four strings total," Lucy said.
Lucy enjoyed watching Rukia's eyes wide as she picked up on what she was asking. Or rather, no asking.
"You... know how to play this evil thing? And what I want is to be outside riding horses, practicing with a sword and climbing trees," Rukia said in a rushed whisper.
"Yes, I do, Mistress. And if you'd like, I can help you learn to play it. Since that harsh criticism isn't helping you, nor is her lack of instruction, Mistress," Lucy said, placing her hands before her and bowing at the waist.
"Lucy, why didn't you tell my grandfather you knew how to play?" Rukia asked her voice, still a whisper but now conspiratorial. "And if you can help me get that hag off my back so I can enjoy myself, then I will keep it a secret."
Knowing she had Rukia hook, line, and sinker, Lucy looked the girl in the eyes and smiled.
"Because a smart person never reveals all their skills. It is the first thing one learns in the art of war. And I know a few other things like Ikebana, tea ceremony, song, dance, and I can read, write. My father was a man who believed that women should be well educated to protect themselves before he died," Lucy explained.
The sad look of understanding at the mention of her father being dead from Rukia had Lucy flushing and looking away. When a small hand rested on her own, Lucy looked up at her Mistress and smiled. There was an understanding between them, and Lucy knew she would become invaluable to Rukia as a Hand-maid and possibly a friend? That would be nice since she never had one.
The silence hung over the main meeting hall was heavy as the three men looked at each other. The news that had just been delivered by the newly returned Koga Kuchiki didn't bode well. This news could set the Imperial Troops back and extend the war even longer with the Hayate Tribe. The fact that the brothers Rogue and Ryos, fierce and proud warriors each, were uniting the other people around them didn't bode well.
"I am sorry, grandfather, I thought when I had bargained with the Widow of the former leader of the Hayate for peace that they'd listen and pull back," Koga said, a small smug smile on his lips.
"Yes, that went over well, but news sometimes travels a lot slower," Genrei stated. "And our Emperor took the deal, and our house gained a new addition thanks to it."
Again silence fell as the two looked at the third member who had yet to say a single thing since they had gathered. His dark eyes were on the map on the table where the small pieces indicated the various troops and factions. A bit of shifting had been done, but yet something seemed off to him, but he'd keep his council to himself. There was no reason to doubt the news that had been brought by his elder brother. Koga was a fierce and loyal samurai of the Kuchiki house and to the Emperor himself.
"Byakuya, what do you have to say?"
Lifting his eyes to look first at his Grandfather, who knew what he thought of this supposed peace treaty. He felt that the girl, Lucy, was a spy in their midst, though she kept her head down, stayed silent, and worked diligently. He had seen a remarkable change take place in Rukia. The way she smiled now would do his former wife, Hisana, proud in the heavens.
"I have nothing to doubt. And you know how I feel about the girl," Byakuya stated blandly.
"Oh, we acquired a woman?" Koga said, perking up, a sharp gleam in his black eyes.
"Yes, she is the daughter of the Widow. Her name is Lucy, and I have assigned her to be Rukia's Hand-maiden," Genrei said. "And she is constantly under observation Byakuya, by my own guards, and I know a few of your own."
The soft humph from Byakuya had Koga giving a brief chuckle, "I see you're still paranoid. I want to meet this girl."
"Brother, leave her be," Byakuya said as he stood from his spot at the small table. "She does her job and well. That I will give her. And I have a feeling that she doesn't want to be friendly with anyone; she knows her place."
The dark glare and look of shocked affront he received from both his grandfather and brother spoke volumes. The room now filled with a heavy silence as the two watched Byakuya leave the room. Already it was clear a line had been drawn.
"Do not take it that he has an interest in the girl. He is still upset over Hisana dying and is protective of Rukia, who has been more cheerful of late due to Lucy's presence. Lucy is a good worker, doesn't ask questions, and quickly learned her role," Genrei said. "But I will say this, Koga, if she refuses any of your offers and requests, let it be."
With those words, Koga stood and shot a glance at his grandfather. It was filled with curiosity and desire. The small nod between the two as Koga turned and left the room was of understanding.
"Well, I hope that poor girl will not rear that stubborn pride of hers," Genrei muttered to himself as he smiled openly. "And I hope that Koga doesn't push because I am sure there is more to that girl than she lets on. Her father was not a normal man in the way he thought on the battlefield, nor off from the reports I had received. She shares his keen intelligence."
TBC!
NEXT STORY TO UPDATE is Into the Lake