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"!
Did you know that Aizen is the name of the Japanese deity of lust? I just found out today!
Chapter Nineteen:
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana woke up groggily the next morning, not wanting to leave her cozy bed. The events of yesterday played again in her head.
"Sayuri-fukutaicho," said Hisasa. "…sounds important." Hisana opened the canopy of her bed and got dressed. When she tied the white sash around her waist, she looked at her reflection. She looked like any other Shinigami. A few accessories could never hurt.
Hisana rummaged through her bag for her gypsy jewelry. She had never before taken the time to be creative with her appearance. In anything, she had tried to remain as invisible as possible during her time in the 5th Division.
She put a single gold hoop earring in her right ear and donned a gold bangle on each wrist. She tied an anklet around her leg which jingled when she walked and hooked a choker of gold coins she'd made herself around her neck. Hisana looked at the brown badge tied to her arm. All the lieutenants wore them there. A light bulb went off in head as she searched for a longer white sash. She finally clipped the lieutenant badge on the white fabric trailing down her front. She was ready.
As she ate a green apple at the table, there was a knock at Hisana's door.
"Come in," said Hisana. A girl with blonde hair bowed.
"Forgive me for disturbing you, Sayuri-fukutaicho…"
"That's okay," Hisana reassured. "What's your name?"
"Sao Fumiko, 12th seat, Sayuri-fukutaicho."
"Sao," repeated Hisana, her brow furrowing. "Are you of any relation to Sao Fuyumi?"
"Hai," Fumiko said, "She's my big sister."
"Hmmm," said Hisana. "And I suppose she asked, or rather ordered you to keep an eye of me." Fumiko looked like a deer caught in the spotlight.
Hisana stood up and walked over to Fumiko's bowing form.
"I will not hold it against you because you are from the Sao family, Fumiko. But if I sense any suspicious behavior whatsoever from you, I will not hesitate to inform Kuchiki-taicho. Am I understood?"
"Understood," repeated Fumiko.
"Why are you here, anyway?" asked Hisana
"Again, I'm sorry; Sayuri-fukutaicho, but you have a visitor. And I certainly could not refuse another lieutenant…" Fumiko's explanation was cut short by an extremely obnoxious voice.
"SAYURI-SAN!"
Shiba Kaien cam hurtling through the door and gave Hisana a bone-crushing hug.
"My Sayuri-san, a lieutenant!" he cried dramatically. "Oh, where has the time gone? My little baby is all grown up!"
"Ahhh, Kaien, you're crushing my ribs!" Hisana screamed. She waved a hand to Fumiko, who bowed and departed. Kaien put her down and slapped her on the back.
"Well done, Sayuri," said Kaien earnestly. Hisana smiled. He looked around her room.
"Damn, you're so lucky to have a noble as your taicho," said Kaien. He then started to drag Hisana out of her room and down the hall.
"Where are we going?" asked Hisana.
"You've been promoted, time for another tattoo!" stated Kaien, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Your little number bracelets are cute, but I think you should be a bit more daring this time."
"I can't just leave!" said Hisana, trying to wriggle out of his grip. "Kuchiki-taicho will…"
"Ah, yes, Kuchiki-taicho, you and he are the subject of a lot of gossip back in the 13th Division.
Hisana stopped. "What do you mean?"
Kaien rubbed his hand behind his neck. "Well, you see, there is this big bet…"
"Where are you taking my lieutenant?" said a voice behind them.
"Kuchiki-taicho," a sweat drop beat down Kaien's neck.
"You're such a baby," Hisana said to him before turning to Byakuya. "Shiba-fukutaicho was just saying that I should get a tattoo in the 47th District in honor of my promotion."
Byakuya's eyes narrowed at Kaien.
"Hey, she does it each time she gets promoted, look," he waved Hisana's hand for Byakuya to see the numbers tattooed on Hisana's wrist.
"I see," said Byakuya. "As much as I hate interrupting this obvious tradition, have you forgotten the all captains and lieutenants meeting in 15 minutes, Shiba-fukutaicho?"
Kaien's face paled. "Damn," Hisana heard him say before shunpoing away.
"Come, Hisana," said Byakuya.
"Hai, Taicho," Hisana said, walking a few paces behind him. Byakuya peered over his shoulder and jerked his head for her to walk beside him. Hisana trotted on her heels to catch up.
"You are wearing your badge in a most peculiar fashion, Hisana," Byakuya remarked.
Hisana blushed. "Forgive me, Taicho, I'll dress more professional in the future."
"I didn't say I disapproved, Hisana," said Byakuya. Hisana's blush deepened.
"Oh, okay, Kuchiki-taicho."
They were soon at the meeting hall in the 1st Division. All the captains and lieutenants were there except for the 13th Division.
"Ah, so good of you to join us, Kuchiki-taicho," the Commander General rasped out.
Byakuya walked up to take his place between the 4th and the 8th captains. And of course, Byakuya stood across from the Aizen-taicho. Hisana was a few steps behind Byakuya, next to Nanao and Isane-fukutaihco.
"I can't let Aizen intimidate me," thought Hisana. "He might still be nearby, but I'm now out of his range of control."
The meeting was very dull. Apparently the glamour of being a lieutenant had a price to pay. She saw Nanao beside her taking notes, while Unohana's lieutenant twirled her braid between her fingers. She saw many of the captains give curious looks, specifically one with glasses.
Hisana's face imitated Byakuya stoic stare when she met Aizen's eyes. He gave her a kind smile. Oh how she wanted to wipe that grin right off his face. Not even Gin had been that annoying.
"Dismissed," said the Commander General and the captains began to head for the door.
Several months passed and Hisana soon found her place within the higher ranks. She could finally understand Nanao's frustration with her lazy captain and it made Hisana thankful for her responsible one. She had also befriended Kotetsu Isane, who happened to be the older sister of Kiyone, who Hisana had vaguely known in the 13th Division.
During this time Aizen did not approach Hisana once. Not that she was complaining, but she was still on the alert. It was nighttime and Hisana was lying on her back under one of the sakura trees in the courtyard.
"Hisana," She opened her eyes to see Byakuya standing beside her
"Hey, Byakuya," said Hisana with a smile. She only called him Byakuya in private.
"May I join you?" he asked. Hisana chuckled.
"This is your division, Byakuya," said Hisana. Byakuya sighed and laid on his back beside her. They could see patched of starlit sky through the branches of pink flowers.
"Byakuya?" said Hisana.
"Yes?" he said.
"I assume you have much experience in avoiding those whose affections you don't return, right?"
His eyes glanced sideway to her. "I do," he said.
"Is there any way the make them leave you alone permanently?" she asked, a particular captain with glasses coming to her mind.
"There is," said Byakuya. "If I were courting someone, then it might cease, but I don't have any intentions of using a woman in such a fashion for my own benefit."
"So, if you pretended that you were off the market, they would back off?" asked Hisana.
"There's no guarantee," said Byakuya. "That might generate the opposite reaction, and their attempts would only increase in an act of desperation. It depends on the determination of the person. Wong Hanako gave up on her a long time ago, while Sao Fuyumi… " Byakuya was leaning on his side towards her.
"Why are you asking me this all of the sudden, Hisana?" he asked.
"No reason," said Hisana smoothly. She turned on her side to face toward him, "Just curious." All thoughts of Aizen disappeared from her mind when her eyes met Byakuya's. She reached out with her hand and ran her fingers lightly over his hair.
"I love your hair, Byakuya," stated Hisana. "It's so straight and shiny. Everything mine isn't."
Hisana felt herself suck in a breath as Byakuya snaked an arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.
"I like your hair," whispered Byakuya. "It always looks like you just got out of bed." Then he kissed Hisana right on the lips. Hisana's eyes fluttered in shock. It was her who usually was the flirtatious one, but he had yet to respond to her actions. She gave up on analyzing the situation and let herself melt into the feeling. Their positions had shifted so Byakuya was on top of her. His tongue forced its way into her mouth. She moaned, gripping his shoulders tightly.
"What gotten into you?" purred Hisana. Byakuya did not answer but flipped her over so she was on her stomach. He placed butterfly kisses on the back of her neck.
"I've missed you so much, Hisana," said Byakuya.
"You're telling me this four months after I became your lieutenant?" Hisana asked.
He flipped her over again so she was facing him. "I never realized how much I missed you until you cam back," said Byakuya. He stood up and raised Hisana to her feet as well.
A single sakura blossom landed on her head. He reached for it a tucked it behind her ear.
"You're my little blossom of hope, Hisana, never whither away."
Author's Note: Like it? Seemed a little too cheesy at the time. Review please.