Chapter 12
-Later that evening-
Dinner that evening was delicious. Xanthan recognized the culinary artistry. "Mmm – I see my daughter has made herself at home in your kitchen, Captain Kuchiki."
Byakuya shot Myssa a look. She gave him a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I didn't piss off the chef again. I asked nicely to use the kitchen."
Once dinner was finished, Yoruichi, Xanthan, and Ginrei left. Byakuya was about to leave when Myssa put her hand on his to stop him. The contact jarred him. "I made something special – just for you."
He was surprised, but where she was concerned he was getting used to the feeling.
She went to the kitchen and returned with a tray of tea. On the tray was something that looked like a loaf of bread. She set the tray in front of him before sitting next to him. "I apologize for being so snarky earlier. You were being kind and I was still reeling. When it comes to my temper I'm still a work in progress. Can you forgive me?"
"Your temper is not that bad. I have seen much worse." He gave her a soft look. "Of course you are forgiven." The smell of the baked goods was tickling his nose. "Whatever you baked smells wonderful. Do I smell bananas?"
"You certainly do." She began cutting a few slices, "According to my extensive research, you are not a fan of sweets. But, you are fond of bananas. So, I made banana bread for you." She set a small plate in front of him with a slice of the banana bread then poured tea for him. "Chef said that as far as he knows you've never been served this."
"I have never heard of it." He said. He waited until she took a slice for herself and poured another cup of tea before he tasted the piece she'd given him. His reaction was immediate, "This is very good!" She smiled at him. "Where did you learn to cook and bake so well?"
She nibbled a bit, washed it down with tea. "When I was first brought to my father's palace I was terrified of everyone. I spent a lot of time hiding in the kitchen. It started with the serving girl that brought meals to my room. She was very kind to me, so I began to follow her down to the kitchen. The cook caught me and I freaked out. She calmed me down and let me stay. Everyday I went down to the kitchen to spend time with her. Her name is Omija and she is an amazing lady. She taught me to cook and treated me like a normal person. In the kitchen I didn't have to be Princess Myssa, I could just be myself." She smiled. "Omija once told me that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Byakuya's eyes held hers. "Not always," he tweaked the tip of her nose and grinned when she swatted, "but it doesn't hurt." It felt so good to sit with her and be at ease. "Tell me, why does your father call you Aleris?"
"Aleris means 'cherished' in dragonspeak. Father has called me that from the first moment he saw me." She looked a bit sad, "Sometimes I think he doesn't like to call me Myssa because it's the name my mother gave me." She shook her head, "I really don't even know if my mother named me. Maren once told me that she named me, but I was very young, and Maren can be manipulative. So, I really don't know what to believe." His fingers twitched…he wanted to pull her to him and comfort her. He saw the sadness leave her face as she propped her chin on her hand to gaze at him. "Which parent named you, Byakuya?"
"My parents decided together." His voice took on the sound of fond memory. "They always made decisions together. Growing up, I remember soft talking and laughter. My mother had a gift for music. She often played a koto. But, my favorite was when she played the shakuhachi." Closed his eyes, "Sometimes I can still hear the haunting notes of her flute as if it were only yesterday." A moment later he opened his eyes to see a wistful look on Myssa's face. Her eyes spoke of longing, of what could have been, of heartbreak. Then, like a ripple in a pond, it faded away.
"Did you ever learn to play any musical instruments?" She asked.
"No. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my mother's gift."
"You should try again. If it can be taught, then it should only be a matter of practice to become at least passing fair at playing." She looked enthusiastic. "When was the last time you tried to play an instrument?"
"I was very young, it was before I entered the academy." He said.
"Think of all the disciplines you have mastered since then. Surely, mastering kido is more difficult than playing music." She looked thoughtful. "There is a uniquely beautiful power in music. It can express what words cannot; it can move the heart through a myriad of emotions; it can soothe; it can inspire. It has a magic all its own."
A few more bricks fell away from the walls around Byakuya's heart.
-The Next Day-
Long before dawn, Byakuya woke Myssa and told her to dress for training. She looked past him to the darkness outside and then gave him a dirty look. "Have you lost your mind? It's still dark outside!" She pulled the blanket over her head, "Come back at dawn."
"We will be having a light breakfast before we get started. By dawn, we will be well into training." He started to pull the cover off of her. "Do not make me drag you out of bed."
She squawked and seized the sliding blanket. "Byakuya!" She lost the brief tug of war. He grabbed an ankle. She nudged Tamor, who was nestled in the pillow next to hers. "Tamor! Attack!"
The dragon gave her a drowsy look, yawned all teeth and curling tongue. "Enjoy your training, princess." He went back to sleep.
"Alright! Alright! I'll get up!" She gave in. Byakuya let go of her ankle and she got out of bed. Her hair was all mussed and she was rubbing sleepily at her eye. She didn't see him grinning.
Once she had washed up and gotten dressed, Myssa was fully awake. After their light breakfast, Byakuya led her to the other side of the estate to the private training area. It was nearly as large as squad six's arena. In the equipment room Byakuya tried to get Myssa to don padding to protect her from any strikes with the wooden swords they would be using. She refused, telling him that she was not made of glass and would take her licks, thank you very much.
After warm up exercises, Byakuya began teaching Myssa. He was very thorough and patient as he showed her how to hold the wooden sword and move with it. He wasn't shocked that she learned very quickly. He would show her something once or twice then she would do it over and over under his watchful eye. He corrected when necessary until he felt she was ready to move on to the next lesson.
By late morning, they were just beginning to slowly move through light strikes. Myssa kept forgetting her foot work and Byakuya kept tapping his sword on her ankles when she stepped incorrectly. When Yoruichi and Xanthan entered the training area, Myssa lost focus and waved at them. Byakuya smacked her on the butt with his wooden sword and snapped, "Focus!"
She looked stunned, almost a how-dare-you look. He expected her to fuss at him, but she gave him a slight bow of her head, never taking her eyes off of his. "Apologies, sensei." She ignored Yoruichi and her father, raised her wooden sword and waited for Byakuya to continue.
For an hour he put her through drills, every so often trying to land a strike when she least expected it. At midday he called a stop for lunch. A servant brought them a meal. Together they sat in the shade and ate. Their only conversation was about training. She had questions. When he answered them, he had her full attention.
After lunch, Byakuya tested Myssa with sparring. She never complained when he rapped her knuckles or smacked her with his sword. She would grunt or yelp, straighten her spine, then face him down again. Often, he would stop to show her something. She would take what he taught her and put it to use. Through it all, she never got frustrated. She behaved like someone who was intent on devouring every bit of knowledge he was willing to give.
Late in the afternoon they were both sweaty and Myssa admitted that her arms were feeling like jelly. Byakuya led her to a large tree just outside the training area and stretched out under it. "I'm impressed, you did very well. Your stamina is impressive and you learn fast."
Myssa was gingerly trying to sit down on the grass next to him. Her butt was very sore. "Thanks." She gave up trying to sit and rolled onto her stomach. "Damn, Byakuya, you literally spanked my ass!"
He laughed, "It took you long enough to cover it." She stuck her tongue out at him as he grinned. He tapped on one of her bracelets. "How are you feeling?"
"Normal. I'm fatigued and don't need Tam to suppress my reiatsu. So, the bracelets are doing their job."
Silence fell. Myssa layed her head on her folded arms, facing Byakuya. He turned his head, letting his gaze roam over her features while her eyes where closed. "Myssa, if you could change anything about your life, what would you change?"
She opened her eyes. "I – I don't know." She thought about it for a few moments. "I wouldn't change anything."
"You would not wish to change your past? Have a mother that cared for you? Perhaps choose to be born to a family that is not royal?"
She sat up. "I am who I am today because of everything I've experienced both good and bad." Her eyes held his, "If I changed even one step on that path it may not have led me here. I would never risk that."
He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. He would start at her lips, work his way down until she was stripped bare and shivering beneath him. My sweet princess, do you have any idea what your words do to me?
She stood up. "I need a shower. You are an excellent teacher, Byakuya. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with me." She headed back to her room to clean up.
-The Next Day-
Myssa was a bit disappointed that Byakuya didn't wake her before dawn again. At breakfast she hoped he would give her some idea when they would train together again. Instead, he told her that a new guest would be arriving in an hour. He saw her face change from bright and happy to closed and flat. She spoke politely, but her displeasure was obvious. He had to hide a grin in his tea cup.
The new potential bride was a real contender. She was lovely, intelligent, and sweet-natured. Byakuya took her for a walk in the gardens. He expected to find Myssa alone with books, working on research. But, she wasn't. She was dressed in form-hugging pants and a wrap top – and she wasn't alone. She was engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Yoruichi. To his surprise, she was more than holding her own. Both women had their hair up in high ponytails with colored ribbons. Seeing Byakuya and his guest, the women halted their exchange. Byakuya made introductions. His guest was Lady Keiko.
He spoke to Myssa, "You are quite good at hand-to-hand combat."
"I trained with the royal masters of Dragon Realm. My father and my brothers also took it upon themselves to train me."
Keiko smiled, "I wish I could learn some combat skills."
"It's never too late." Myssa said. "Change your clothes, we'll teach you."
"My parents would never allow it." Keiko said. "It's not proper for a noblewoman of my clan."
"Well, if Byakuya marries you, you'll be free to learn. I'm sure he'd be happy to teach you all kinds of things." Myssa said. Yoruichi pinched the back of her arm. "Ow!"
Byakuya knew Myssa was aiming a dig at him. He kept his face placid and ignored the comment despite how much he wanted to drag her off to a private place and set her straight.
Yoruichi intervened. "Myssa, you better get moving before I grab that ribbon right off of you."
Myssa smiled at Keiko, "Very nice to meet you, Lady Keiko, I hope you have a pleasant day." She took off in a blur of shunpo with Yoruichi in pursuit. Byakuya's eyes widened – when had she learned that? Yoruichi must have taught her and the speed at which Myssa learned all she would need was practice.
-Later around 5 o'clock-
Byakuya walked into his bathroom. He thought for a moment that he'd walked into the wrong one because Myssa was standing there in a white robe. Her hair was wet. Her leg was propped up on the edge of his enormous bath tub and she was rubbing lotion on her leg. The sight nearly undid him. Those legs… "Why are you in here?" He asked.
"The plumbing is broken in my bathroom. A man is in there repairing it now. I needed a shower. I hope you don't mind." She replied.
His thoughts were scattered, his eyes glued to her leg. "I need a shower."
"Don't let me stop you." She flashed him a grin, "I've been dying to catch a gander at you with your shirt off."
He quirked a brow. He felt his cheeks warm a bit. "I saw you use shunpo."
She nodded. "Dragons use something similar so when Yoruichi taught me today, it wasn't hard to pick up. I just need practice."
"Who won?" As if I need to ask, the cat demon always manages to win.
"She did. I took a misstep off a tree limb and she yanked my ribbon off as I fell." She rubbed the lotion up her thigh.
Byakuya's libido went into high gear. Gods help me, I am going to need a cold shower.
"How was your afternoon with Lady Keiko?"
"Amicable."
"I like her. She seems kind. A big improvement over the others."
"She's nice." But your legs are much nicer…
She began slathering lotion on the other leg. His eyes followed and he pressed his lips together to keep from licking them. "I won't be here for dinner." She said.
"Out with Rangiku again?"
"No. I have a date."
He faltered slightly, "A what?"
She spoke slowly, "A – date. Y'know, what people do when they are attracted to each other."
He was unable to mask the flare of anger, "With whom?"
"Shuhei Hisagi." She was rather pleased to see his reaction. She finished with the lotion. "Thank you for the use of your bathroom." She smiled at him. "I hope you have a nice evening with Keiko." She walked out, not acknowledging in any way that he was angry about her date.
Byakuya wanted to stop her, tell her not to go, tell her that he wanted her to stay with him. He imagined it all: holding her, touching her, kissing her. But, instead, he let her go.
