Summary, because I haven't given a proper one yet: Byakuya and Hisana married each other, but she is no more. He is broken by her death and also by the guilt of not fulfilling the promise of finding her sister. In later chapters, we will see what caused that. Rukia, on the other hand has faint recollections of her sister and is leading her life in hiding. Age gap between them is six years.
This takes place exactly one year after the previous chapter, on the same day, Hisana's death anniversary.
Chapter Three : One More Time
The rain never seemed to stop today; it was as heavy as his heart was. It was the day exactly two years after Hisana's demise. Not often did you see the Chairman of Kuchiki Corp. sitting solemnly in a corner of a local eatery. But when you did, it had to be something.
Yoruichi-san sat across him, gulping down alcohol at an extremely fast rate. Like last year, she found him here, trying to drink his sadness off. In this respect, he had to agree that her ability to sniff people out was akin to dog. After a long silence, he said,
"I do not want to live anymore."
Following the cowardly but boldly spoken declaration, there was a pregnant pause. The dark woman sitting in front of him looked him in the eye and said in a grave tone,
"You have to, now."
Byakuya actually expected, no, wanted her to react in her usual, cheery and loud manner. He knew that he was giving reality a slip, by running away, gradually giving up on living altogether.
"Why… should I?" he questioned unconsciously, eyes shadowed by his raven, overgrown bangs. Byakuya was never one to drown his worries in such a manner, always one for an if-not-downright-handsome, neat look. However, that day he just did not care. His mind was contemplating other, very serious things. Things like making his suicide attempt look like an accident or jumping in front of a truck.
"You've got someone to live for now," she said.
His eyes widened a fraction and he reckoned her in surprise. As far as he was concerned, that 'someone' he could give his life for was already gone but he asked anyway,
"Who is it?", with more enthusiasm than he wanted to show.
Shihouin Yoruichi's eyes shone with secret glee as she dug out a piece of paper from her bag and passed it over. It seemed like a map, for few smudged pencil marks were present on it.
"This is?"
"I found Rukia."
It took a minute for him to register the words in his mind fully. Either his bottled up guilt was playing tricks on him, or a trip to the doctor was due.
"You found… who exactly?"
Yoruichi rested her chin atop her palm and leveled her gaze. "Remember the promise? I found that girl."
Byakuya remembered the promise all too well. In fact, there was not a single day he had forgotten about it; he could not have.
"What are you talking about?" he spat out through gritted teeth. "There's no way she would be alive." Anger flashed in his eyes at the atrocity of the statement, of the betrayal this meant.
"Listen here. Go to this address, it's written at the back of the card. I'm sure it's her."
"Shihouin-san, if this is a-" Byakuya began in a decidedly irritated tone. She held up a hand to stop him mid-sentence.
"Just go. Trust me on this." Taking the last swig from her sake cup, she stood up and placed some yen on the bar counter.
"So long, Byakuya-bo, call me if there are any problems, and thanks Oji-san!" she shouted the last part out to the bartender-cum-restaurant owner, who raised a hand in greeting.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot, you gotta invest more in that beauty products company. Just saying." Throwing this last piece of advice and a wink in the direction of a very confused Byakuya, Yoruichi-san moved out of the place, sheltering herself from the rain. Byakuya was angered at the blatant and hurried lie she just told and at the nickname. But he could just stare from the shop window as she flagged down a cab and entered it.
End of three
To be continued
A/n: Thank you, isaraaries, for the review and
Jana LC, Unwavering Heart and frossenangel for the follows. New readers as well!
Please review!