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 Seven: Voices
Hisana's P.O.V.
Byakuya and Hisana arrived at his home five minutes later. Hisana clutched her hand over mouth in an attempt to keep her lunch.
"Put me down," she ordered. He set her back on her feet.
"Never do that again," she said. "At least not with me on board."
"Of course," said Byakuya. "Come."
Hisana followed him and the doors of the mansion were opened by several servants.
"Welcome home, Kuchiki-sama," they said in unison.
"Whoa," breathed Hisana, taking the whole thing in. "Nice place you got here, Byakuya." They took the hall on the right and ended up in the most beautiful garden Hisana had ever seen. She started to skip along the path ahead of Byakuya, humming. She then did a few cartwheels in the grass and landed on her back under a blooming sakura tree.
She opened her eyes to see Byakuya standing above her.
"You are without a doubt the strangest woman I've ever met," he commented.
"Hey!" said Hisana indignantly, getting to her feet. "I've seen the high-born girls you're forced to put up with…"
She smirked and pointed her index finger at herself. "I'm the only woman you've ever met."
She turned and walked away from him, exaggerating the sway in her hips. She stopped and laughed. She turned around to see that Byakuya's face was as serious as ever. Hisana's laughter subsided. Usually when she was silly like this, he would roll his eyes or his lips would twitch to restrain a smile. But today, nothing…
"Hisana," Byakuya said, beckoning her to him with his hand. She walked back up to him. "I've a simple errand to run. I shan't be long. Stay under this tree until I return."
"Hai," said Hisana, sitting down, watching Byakuya leave. He turned a corner and was out of her sight. She rested one leg on her knee and put her hands behind her neck.
"I wonder what Senbonzakura's bankai looks like." Hisana thought. She'd seen the shikai release of Byakuya's zanpakuto many times. Thousands of small, pink blades floating in the air like leaves in autumn. Hisana shivered as she tried to picture Byakuya's second release. She could only hope that one day her zanpakuto would be as great as Senbonzakura. Hisana scoffed at this, she didn't ever know her soul slayer's name.
"And you never will with that attitude," said a voice in her head. Hisana jumped.
"My, my, skittish are we today,"the voice commented. Hisana's heart started to quicken in pace.
"Who are you?" Hisana demanded.
"I'm your conscious," the voice said sarcastically, "We haven't spoken for a while, how are you?"
Hisana scowled but then stared at the katana tied to her hip. "Are…are you my zanpakuto?"
"Ding, ding, ding, give the girl a prize!" the voice said. "Yes, Hisana, I am a part of you."
Hisana smirked. "It's a shame you didn't take on one of my more redeeming qualities, but instead you got the bitchy attitude I get when I'm angry."
"Hey, lady, I ought to…" but the voice drifted away. "Uh-oh, trouble at two-o-clock!"
"What? No, come back!" Hisana thought, but she was forced to turn her attention elsewhere as she heard three very different voices.
"I sure Kuchiki-sama will love it, Hanako-san!" said one of them.
"He could never say no to you. Your pedigree is second to none," another one said. There in the garden three women in elaborate kimonos, one red, one blue, and one deep purple, were talking amongst themselves. They all came to halt when they saw Hisana sitting under the sakura tree.
Hisana said nothing, not particularly keen on making the first move.
"Who are you?" said the woman in the red kimono.
Hisana leaned against the trunk of the tree. "I'm a Shinigami."
"You don't seem to be on duty," said the woman in purple.
"You are correct, I'm not," said Hisana, trying to sound short, sweet and to the point.
"Then…what are you doing here?" asked the one in blue, frowning.
"Byakuya brought me here," Hisana cursed inwardly for referring to Byakuya by his first name.
The woman in the red kimono, Hanako, narrowed her eyes. "Really and how exactly are you acquainted with Kuchiki-sama?"
Hisana was getting tired of these three nosing around in her business, so she decided to have some fun with them.
"Ask me no questions, and I can tell you no lies," said Hisana, her voice taking a mysterious tone. Hanako snapped open her fan and waved it in front of herself.
"Oh, my, what an exquisite fan!" Hisana mock gasped. She rose to her feet and took the fan from Hanako.
"It's so elegant and beautiful…" began Hisana, twirling it around her index finger, "…that they never notice your face."
Hisana could have sworn she saw smoke coming out of Hanako's ears. Before anything else could happen, Hisana heard her name.
"Hisana," Byakuya's tone was firm and commanding. He never used that voice with her.
Hisana turned and gave a bow, "Hai, Taicho."
"Come," he said with the same firmness. Hisana didn't bother bowing to Hanako and rejoined Byakuya quickly. They walked out of the gardens and were in a very long hallway.
"So, Byakuya, got any information on that Hanako," asked Hisana.
"Why?" Byakuya asked stiffly.
"It's not important," Hisana reassured. "But I think it would be foolish to remain ignorant for too long while in enemy territory, if you catch my drift."
Byakuya's P.O.V.
"Enemy territory," He was slightly hurt by her choice of words, but refused to show it. He knew she was right. Byakuya himself was the one who had warned her about the ways of aristocrats.
"Her full name is Wong Hanako. I've ranked her as the third most persistent in trying to win my affections."
"Third?" Hisana repeated. "So, you mean there are some worse than her?"
"Unfortunately," sighed Byakuya. "And it's not just them. Each one has an associate, a fellow conspirator, if you will, and they together have rallied four to six women from the lower-noble families who do whatever they asked."
"Geez, it sounds like the whole Gotei 13!" said Hisana. "How many of these 'divisions' are there?"
Byakuya thought. "About nine,"
"Nine!" Hisana gaped at him.
"Actually, the larger number of (Byakuya smirked) 'divisions' works to my advantage. With so many rivals, they spend most of their time fighting with one another, thereby leaving me alone."
"Aha!" exclaimed Hisana. "An excellent point."
"Here we are," said Byakuya. "I assure you, you won't find any enemies here," said Byakuya. He slid the screen door open and slid it back when both of them had entered. They were met by a woman who was middle-aged, but thin, in a simple yet tasteful kimono. She sat in a chair, reading.
"Aunt Mameha," said Byakuya, bowing his head. The woman smiled.
"Ahh, there's my Bya-kun,"
On his side, he heard Hisana try to conceal a giggle in a cough.
"And who is this?" asked Mameha, looking at Hisana with interest.
"This, Aunt Mameha…" he placed both hands on each of Hisana's shoulders. "…is Sayuri Hisana. She is my personal guest tonight, but she doesn't have the appropriate clothing. Do you think you could…?"
"Say no more," said Mameha, grabbing Hisana's hand. "Come, my dear, I have something that will be perfect."
Forty-five minutes later, Byakuya was able to reenter his aunt's room. His eyes widened.
Hisana stood in front of three connecting full length mirrors, examining her reflections. She was wearing a lavender kimono with white sakura petals for the design. Her hair was pinned up with a silver comb.
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana saw his reflections staring at her. "Well, say something!" she said. "Is the gypsy you found so beautiful that I've rendered you speechless?"
While he continued to stand there in silence, Hisana's eyes drifted to her hair again. She frowned.
"I don't like it," Hisana declared. She lowered her head and freed the hair from the confines of the comb and chopsticks. She straightened herself up, and smiled at the messy mop of black hair. "What do you think?"
She sucked in a breath when she realized that Byakuya was right behind her. He slowly snaked an arm around her waist.
"Perfect," Byakuya whispered in her ear. "Let's go."
Author's Note: Oh, la,la! Things are starting to steam up! Next chapter will be the party. And I better see more reviews, OR ELSE!