Skeleneko's Note: This isn't my story. I have permission from Twilight Countess (Amy) to repost this. If you like this story be sure to look out for her book "Eris"!
Senbonzakura
Chapter Two: Come Back Here, Gypsy!
Byakuya's P.O.V.
It had been three weeks since he saw Hisana. Byakuya walked through the streets of the Seireitei, his mind deep in thought. His short encounter with her reminded him of a problem that was growing more and more difficult to avoid.
Flashback… A few months ago…
"Byakuya-sama," said one of the elders at the table. Byakuya did not look at him, but kept his eyes focused on his chopsticks.
"Yes, Yamoto-san?" he slowly responded.
"The elders and I have been thinking…" Yamoto began and the other elders nodded encouragingly. "…That now it the time for you to consider choosing a wife."
Byakuya lowered his eating utensils. "I'm sorry, Yamoto-san, but I have not seen any woman whom I believe to be worthy of my attention at present."
Byakuya was no fool. He was perfectly aware of the deceit of the people at court. No doubt that every elder would suggest their niece or grand-daughter to be a good candidate in hopes of gaining more security and power in the Kuchiki family.
"But, Byakuya-sama," said Sao Feng, "You're uncle has spoken of passing the position as head of the Kuchiki clan to you soon. Surely you are not thinking of taken the post unmarried."
"IfI see anyone that catches my interest, I shall inform you at once," said Byakuya.
"But…" started one elder, obviously displeased that Byakuya had chosen the word if, rather than when.
Byakuya raised his hand to silence him. "This is my final word on the matter." And with that, Byakuya strode out of the dinning hall.
Ever since that day, Byakuya had been trying to stay clear of all the noble women. His tactics didn't really help the issue. If anything, the elders and the ladies had become more persistent than ever.
Byakuya gave a sigh of frustration as he opened the door to the Thirteenth Division. He couldn't find peace in his own home. The minute he set foot on the Kuchiki Estate, he would be surrounded by women in elegant kimonos. None of them had impressed him. They didn't have any opinions about important issues. They had charm and grace, but no more. In fact, Byakuya found Hisana to be the only non-Shinigami woman that was even worth talking to.
"There you go, thinking about her!" he berated himself. "As if you will ever see her again…"
"Ahhh, there's my favorite lieutenant," said a warm voice.
"Hello, Ukitake-taicho," said Byakuya, bowing his head.
"Hmm, you seem a little depressed, Byakuya," said Ukitake with concern in his voice.
Byakuya signed again. "Just another day of court politics, sir, you needn't trouble your mind with them."
"I see," said Ukitake, his slight frown turning into a smile once more. "Well, Byakuya, I was wondering whether you would enjoy accompanying me on my weekly walk through Rukongai."
Byakuya frowned slightly. "Surely they must be work to do, Taicho…"
But Ukitake was already steering Byakuya out the door into the sunshine.
"Oh, but I insist!" said Ukitake-taicho. "Think of it as assisting your captain in his patrols of the town. Here, wear this," he said, tossing his lieutenant a simple brown cloak.
Byakuya stared at it and saw Ukitake put on a similar cloak.
"We draw a lot less attention this way." Ukitake explained.
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana woke up from her slumber on the roof of a tavern. She rubbed her eyes and yawned widely. As she stood up, she looked at the sun's position in the sky.
"About noon," she mused. She then slid off the roof and landed gracefully on the ground. Her mind started to wander as she walked down the street. It had been three weeks since she'd seen the Shinigami by the bridge. She wondered what he was doing right now…
"He still never said why he was following me," she mumbled. She shook her head at this. As if she would ever find out.
"Hisana!" someone called. Hisana turned to see a man running up to her.
"Hello, Hatsya," she said.
"And greetings to you, fellow gypsy," Hatsya said as he gave her a bow. "Are we still on for performing in the 50th District?"
This was how it was for Hisana. Dance in the street for coins, buy food and necessities with said coins and search for Rukia. She would on occasion partner up with another gypsy. This was one of those rare days.
"I suppose so. I'm sure the people are more generous to a gypsy in the 50th District than in the 78th."
"My dear, it has nothing to do with that!" said Hatsya, giving her a slap on the back. "They just won't ever be able to say no to your pretty face."
Hisana gave him a weak smile.
"That's better, come on," said Hatsya.
Byakuya's P.O.V.
Byakuya found himself walking along the streets of the 50th District, feeling extremely out of place.
Byakuya turned his head and then realized that he was walking alone. He turned around to see that his captain had stopped about ten paces behind him. Ukitake was petting a horse, while conversing with who Byakuya guessed to be the owner. Byakuya strode up to them.
"You have a good eye, sir," said the owner to Ukitake. "This is Akotum. He's my finest and most well-trained horse. I've taught him how to count with his hoof and even how to sit!"
Then the sound of music caught Byakuya's ears.
"Ahh, that would be the gypsies. They often perform around here" said Ukitake as he walked passed the horse.
"Most have the worst impression of them, but they're probably the nicest folk you'll meet." The aging captain proceeded to thrown a few coins into a purple hat near a man playing a flute-like instrument. Next to the man was a woman dancing with scarves.
Byakuya saw that the woman was wearing a red skirt and an orange sash…no, it couldn't be…
"Hisana?"
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana turned at the sound of her name. Her eyes widened. She knew that serious face all too well. But before she could say or do anything else, Hatsya grabbed her arm.
"Eleventh squad Shinigami coming, run!" he hissed before fleeing from the scene. Hisana grabbed the hat filled with coins and tried to run as well. She ran into a nearby person, spilling the money all over the ground.
"Shit!" she said as she bent down to collect the coins. She stopped when she saw two shadows on the dirt ground. She looked up to see two men in black kimonos.
"All right, gypsy, where'd you get the money," demanded one of them.
Hisana rose to her feet. "For your information, I earned it!"
"Gypsies don't earn money," he scoffed. The second Shinigami grabbed her arm from behind.
"They steal it," he exclaimed.
"You'd know a lot about stealing," Hisana said angrily to him.
"Trouble maker, huh?" said the first one, grabbing for the hat in her arms. Hisana high kicked him in the chin, but the second man still had her in his grasp.
"Maybe a day in the holding cells will cool you off," he said. Hisana punched him in the face and kicked the first Shinigami one again in the stomach. They both fell to the ground. Hisana then ran passed Ukitake-taicho and Byakuya without looking back.
Byakuya's P.O.V.
Byakuya's gaze found itself on Hisana's retreating back. The two Shinigami quickly returned to their feet.
"Come back here, gypsy!" one yelled as they chased after her. Byakuya then saw the horse from earlier. He grabbed the reigns from the owner and led the animal into the middle of the street. This caught the Shinigami off guard and they ran right into it. One of them landed on his stomach behind the horse.
"Akotum," said Byakuya. "Sit."
Akotum slid his hind legs in front of him and plopped down right onto the Shinigami. The entire street erupted in laughter.
"Oh, dear, I'm sorry," Byakuya pointed his finger at Akotum. "Naughty horse, naughty! He's just impossible, really. I can't take him anywhere."
"Get this thing off meee!" the man wheezed.
The second Shinigami drew out his katana. "I'll teach you a lesson, peasant!" he snarled.
At this, Ukitake-taicho removed his brown cloak and unsheathed his own katana. "You were saying?"
"Oh, oh, U-U-Ukitake-taicho!" the subordinate stuttered before saluting. "At your service, sir!"
Byakuya looked down and saw a few gold coins on the ground. He picked them up and saw a cloaked beggar sitting against the wall with a purple hat at his feet. The tips of Byakuya's mouth turned ever so slightly upward as he dropped the money into the hat before walking away.
Author's Note: I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame!