Chapter 48 (Shizuko)
I smiled as I felt his hand brush over my hairpiece. Byakuya had given it to me for my last birthday, and he admired it as his eyes glanced over me. I wore a simple halter dress—the color the same as my eyes. It was a halter neck, exposing my shoulder and back shamelessly. He didn't disapprove of the view, and I made sure to flaunt in front of him like a peacock.
"You look elegant," He surmised and I bowed my head. He looked handsome too, and I felt my heart flutter as I took in his gorgeous frame.
One of the Elders approached me with a glass of champagne, "Shizuko."
I took the glass impassively but inside I was shocked beyond words. To cover for it, I clinked my glass to hers and took a small sip.
"Congratulations," She smiled earnestly and walked away.
I raised an eyebrow and looked at Byakuya in confusion, "That's odd. She does know that it's the other adopted Kuchiki that got promoted, yes?"
He nodded stiffly, "Perhaps it was in connection with your mother."
I studied him for a moment longer, "You would tell me if there something to tell, right?"
Before he could say anything, my grandmother whisked me into her arms, "You, my darling, look absolutely exquisite!"
I hugged her back tightly, "You too!"
"Your mother's missing out—she is going to kick herself when she sees photos of you in your dress."
I smiled and shrugged. I didn't mind my mother not being here because she was spending time with my father. They had split their time between the Soul Society and the World of the Living whenever they could. It had become a lot easier ever since Kisuke was allowed back into the Soul Society Seireitei, what with the new Central Forty-Six seeing no reason in continuing his exile.
She was happy and that made me happy.
Sachiko glanced at Byakuya, who was still standing by my side, "And you? What do you think of my lovely granddaughter?"
"Don't—" I insisted but she shook her head.
"Don't think that any of us have forgotten how you used to dote on her when you two were young. I'm sure you're kicking yourself too for not sweeping her off her feet sooner."
I was frozen stiff as I waited for him to have a snarky retort. I glanced between both my grandmother and Byakuya, surprised when they were both looking at me. Sachiko only smirked, while Byakuya studied me in his usual silence.
And then he took my hand and led me to where everyone was dancing. Sachiko moved swiftly and took my glass from my hand and gave me a firm pat on the bum.
Byakuya cleared a path for us both even though no one glanced out way. It was like they just knew by his presence that they needed to move. I looked down at my feet and suddenly felt completely out of place next to him.
It suddenly reminded me of the conversation Renji and I had had so many years ago. When he had asked me if I was important enough to marry the head clansman of the Tsunayashiro Clan. It had been a comment that both Byakuya and I had laughed at…and now he was pulling me close into his arms.
I was stiff in his arms as we swayed to the music.
"What are you thinking?" He asked. I finally looked up and met his gaze, surprised to see his head bent down to me.
"That you should be dancing with someone else."
"You don't want to dance?" He began to pull away but I clung onto his shoulders.
"No…I want to," I was so close to him and it sent my heart into tailspin. My cheek brushed against his chest as he drew in again, "I just don't know if I should be your partner."
He said nothing to deter my fears. But he bowed his head until his lips brushed past my temple. I shut my eyes and leaned in closer to him, clinging to him tightly. This…didn't feel real. This moment of peace between us.
My heart began to flutter and I opened my eyes. He was already looking at me when I turned my head up at him. In his arms, I felt unbowed and fragile all at once.
Murmurs from the side pulled my attention away. The Elder from earlier was watching me alongside a few of the other Kuchiki Elders. I flinched away from their beady eyes and cast my eyes down again. Them talking about me never led to any good.
"You're not telling me something," I whispered. His hands clenched on my body briefly and I knew that I was right. I met his gaze with a steely one of my own, "Tell me."
He hesitated, allowing me to prepare myself for whatever he had to say, "They're finalizing the details of your marriage."
"What…What do you mean?" My blood had gone cold. He only stared down at me, unreadable and stoic.
"You will be married by next winter. This is the decision of the Elders."
"I already married before though!"
"You have plateaued in your career…in their eyes," The Elders quickly dashed away as he set his piercing gaze on them all. "They've decided to cultivate your future."
"You…What do you think of it, Byakuya?" I trembled underneath his hands, recoiling away from his nearness. But at the same time, all I could do was rest my forehead against his shoulder, "You can stop it."
His words strangled me just as much as the mortifying news he had dropped on me did, "I can."
I could read between the lines of his unspoken words. I can but I won't.
So much fury and rage and embarrassment broke free from me all at once. I snapped. There was no hesitation, no regret, as I stood up and smacked him. The sound of the clap had those around us staring. He only watched me impassively, despite the welting hand print forming on his cheek.
I wanted to take it back. But I also wanted to slap him again. He would willingly let me go through the pain and mortification again. He didn't care. It was a revelation just as sickening as the news of my soon-to-be marriage.
"Just like your mother," He sighed but didn't get to say much more. I spat in his face, receiving a series of gasps throughout the party. "You're walking on—"
"What are you going to do, Byakuya? Threaten me?" I wrapped my arms around myself, wanting to curl into a hole and be left there to rot. "You keep hurting me."
I didn't mean for him to hear the last part. I had whispered it, but it seemed to reach him. He was reaching for me, but I couldn't face him. I couldn't face anyone with how I had just behaved. But most importantly, I couldn't bear to show the world the tears that streamed down my face.
He was tearing my heart from my chest, and I retreated like a wounded animal.
