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 Twenty-Two: The Proposals
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana and Byakuya kept their relationship a secret at first. Byakuya justified this by saying he wanted to protect her from the nobles at the estate for as long as he could.
Hisana agreed with him whole-heartedly, having no desire to arouse Aizen's anger any earlier than necessary.
Hisana wasn't sure how Aizen would react if her affair with Byakuya was made public.
Aizen had been angry when she left his division, but did not show it. Even though she was farther away, in Aizen's eyes, she was still attainable. But if he knew Hisana was with another man, what would he do? Not just that, (Byakuya and Hisana had yet to discuss it), but what if Byakuya asked her to marry him? Would Aizen attempt to stop it?
Something told her that if she married Byakuya, Aizen would leave her alone permanently. Not that she would use Byakuya in such a way, but Hisana didn't believe that Aizen would risk his reputation by fooling around with another captain's wife. That would be stepping into very dangerous territory, and Hisana couldn't see Aizen that willing or desperate to do it.
But Hisana didn't dwell on these thoughts for too long. Aizen wasn't her father, he couldn't tell her what to do. And now Byakuya was her umbrella for that dark cloud that Aizen had sent to follow her. He made Aizen look so trivial, so insignificant.
Two years had passed since Hisana told Byakuya about her sister. She felt so happy that Byakuya still accepted her, that he didn't think any less of her.
"Byakuya?" Hisana said. She was standing in front of his desk.
"Yes?" he replied, still writing on the sheet of paper before him.
"Isn't it one of the duties of a captain to be sure that all of his lieutenant's duties are taken care of as well?" Hisana asked.
"Yes, it is, why do you ask?"
"Well," said Hisana, "I was kind of wondering…you see…I won't be able to make my Women's Shinigami Association meeting next week, and it would really be a big help if someone were to go in my place."
Byakuya looked up at her. "I am confident that you are jesting, Hisana."
"I assure you, Taicho, I could not be more sincere," said Hisana. She walked closer to Byakuya. He scowled at her expression.
"Someday you will have to learn that pouting will not get you everywhere in life."
"Pleeeease, Byakuya," Hisana walked behind his desk and sat on one of the arms of his chair.
His resolve was not affected as he continued to write.
"And…to be fair," whispered Hisana, her hand sliding down his chest. "I'm willing to make it worth your while…" her hand stopped and playfully tugged at the white sash at his waist. He grabbed her hand gently, but firmly and pushed it away.
"Please take these forms to the 2nd Division, Lieutenant Sayuri."
"Fine," Hisana huffed, taking the paperwork from Byakuya. "And someday you will have to learn that you can't always distract me with paperwork." She turned and walked out of the 6th Division Office.
Hisana Sky stepped up over the roofs of the Seireitei and headed northwest for the 2nd Division. That was the squad of Hisana's former captain before Aizen, Soi Fong-taicho.
The isolated squad held many memories for her. Hisana was one of the few who had ever transferred out of that Division. Most entered and remained there for life, their faces forever concealed by a ninja mask. Hisana remembered when she was one of those nameless ninjas.
Seat numbers barely held any credibility for you in the 2nd Squad. You rarely even knew the names of the comrades you were assigned a mission with.
Hisana landed on the ground and started walking. The 2nd Division looked deserted, but Hisana knew better. She could sense the dozens of ninja lurking all around her.
"It's her," whispered one of them. "Goddess of Air,"
Yes, Hisana made sure she did not remain nameless in the 2nd Division for long. She created a whole new name for herself, one that was spoken with respect, with awe…
Hisana finally came to the doors of the head office. She opened them and stepped inside.
"Soi Fong-taicho?" called Hisana. There was no reply. Hisana tried again.
"Soi Fong-tai…" but then Hisana turned to block a kick that was almost about to make impact with her face.
"It's good to know that your reflexes haven't rotted during your time back in the normal divisions, Sayuri." There was Captain Soi Fong, her leg still poised near Hisana's head.
"I could never forget the ways of the Secret Mobile Corps," said Hisana, bowing. "I come with these from Kuchiki-taicho." Hisana offered the paperwork to Soi Fong. She took them from Hisana's hands, looking them over briefly.
"Very well," said Soi Fong. Hisana bowed and departed. Barely anyone even saw the captain of the 2nd Division. Her very appearance showed that she favored Hisana.
When Hisana made it back to the 6th Division office, Byakuya was no longer there.
Hisana sighed and sat at her desk, noticing that the piles of paper in the in box were a lot taller than the pile in the out box.
Hisana sat there for a few hours until there was a knock at the door. Hisana rose from her seat and slid the door open.
Hisana twitched inwardly. "Aizen-taicho, good afternoon…" Hisana stepped aside and Aizen strode into the room. Hisana closed the door behind him.
"I trust you have been well, Hisana," said Aizen, peering at her through the white gleam of his glasses.
"Yes, Aizen-taicho, very," said Hisana. Aizen hadn't bothered Hisana in a while. The familiar sense of dread welled up in her stomach.
"Do you need to speak with Kuchiki-taicho?" Hisana asked, "I could go get him for you."
"That is not necessary, Hisana," he said. "The nature of my visit concerns you."
Hisana froze. "Me?"
"That's right," said Aizen. "I couldn't help noticing your Sky steps over my division today."
Hisana bowed low. "Forgive me, Aizen-taicho, I promise to tidy up after myself from now on."
"There's nothing to apologize for, Hisana," said Aizen, placing a 'would be' comforting hand on her shoulder. "You never need to ask forgiveness just because you are powerful."
Aizen turned his head slightly so Hisana could see his hazel eyes. "It's come to my attention that you are a most well-rounded Shinigami, Hisana."
"I am?" said Hisana, not entirely sure where this was going.
"Certainly," said Aizen. "You excel in swordsmanship, you can cast kido spells up to 64 without an incantation, your Sky steps in agility are second to none, and your time in the 2nd Division must reflect your hand-to-hand combat skills."
"Such praise is wasted on someone like me," said Hisana, bowing yet again. Aizen cupped his hand under Hisana's chin and lifted it up so Hisana faced him.
"As I said before, Hisana," he said, "You never need to apologize for embracing your true nature and potential."
"Hai, Aizen-taicho," said Hisana. He walked passed her and looked out the window, his back to her.
"But, let me ask you, Hisana, have you reached your limit?" asked Aizen, starring at the sun.
"I'm not sure I'm following you, Aizen-taicho," said Hisana slowly.
"Are you content with mastering just these four techniques? Have you ever dreamed of surpassing the power of a Shinigami? Your Sky steps take you higher and higher, but have you even wanted the power to reach Heaven?"
Hisana said nothing.
"I have such dreams, Hisana. Someday I hope to sit on that throne in Heaven, to penetrate even farther than God's domain."
Hisana's eyes were wide.
"But…" said Aizen, peering over his shoulder, "…every god needs a goddess beside him."
Hisana's jaw dropped. Aizen was not suggesting what she thought he was suggesting. Hisana turned away from him, collected the books at her desk and walked across the room to place them on the shelf. She heard Aizen close up behind her.
"I would like it very much if you were that goddess, Hisana," Aizen said, breathing down her neck. Hisana turned to face Aizen and took several steps away from him until her back was touching the door.
"A-Aizen-t-taicho! I'm…speechless, I don't really know what to say." Hisana was scared that Aizen could hear her heart thumping into her chest.
Aizen advanced on her, placing his hands against the door beside each of Hisana's shoulders, blocking her escape.
"Say you'll marry me, Hisana," said Aizen deeply. "I can give you more than you've ever dreamed."
Hisana thought fast. "I'm very sorry Aizen-taicho, but, but…" Hisana fumbled for the handle of the door, "…I just don't deserve you."
With lightning speed, Hisana slid the door open again, sending Aizen stumbling outside. She slammed the door and ran all the way to her room.
Once she was there she plopped onto her bed and started to cry in one of her pillows. She tried in vain to stop, but the tears kept coming. She berated herself for allowing Aizen to make her crumble this way, but the tears continued to fall. By the time Byakuya entered her room, her sobs had yet to subside.
"Hisana," Byakuya quickly strode up to the bed and took Hisana into his arms. Hisana clung to him tightly, crying into his chest.
"What happened?" inquired Byakuya, rubbing her back gently.
"It's nothing," he heard her mumble into his torso.
Byakuya sighed. "It takes a lot for my lieutenant to cry."
Hisana said nothing.
"Please, Hisana," said Byakuya, "I hate seeing you so distressed. Please let me help you."
Finally, Hisana started to calm down. "You're already helping me, silly." Hisana looked up and smiled at him. Byakuya wiped the tears away with his thumb. Hisana wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Kiss me," she ordered. Byakuya obliged, pressing her body into the mattress…
A month later Byakuya and Hisana were both walking through Rukongai with their fingers laced together. Hisana was in her gypsy clothes while Byakuya wore a brown cloak that hid his captain's haori.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes when he saw a group of men not too far away, eyeing Hisana hungrily. He snaked his arm around Hisana's waist and brought her closer to him.
"Relax, Byakuya," said Hisana. "If they try anything, I can kick their butt myself."
Byakuya said nothing, but kept a close eye on them until they were out of range.
"Hello there, pussy," a man, probably drunk, strode up to Hisana.
"What don't we ditch this guy and have a little fun," he looked at Hisana up and down. Before Hisana could respond, Byakuya was in front of Hisana with his zanpakuto unsheathed.
"Please leave," said Byakuya. The man was either too stupid or too drunk to know when to back off.
"Why should I do tha'? Didn't your parents ever tell ya to share?"
Byakuya pressed Senbonzakura against the man's throat. "Your reward is your life. I know it's not much, but still…"
The man cowered away in fear and ran off.
"I kinda think you overdid it, Byakuya," Hisana sighed. Hisana stopped walking when she came to a broken window. She looked at her many reflections through the jagged glass.
Byakuya stood behind her.
"What do they see in me?" Hisana wondered, examining her body, "…my breasts aren't even that big…"
Byakuya grabbed her waist and buried his head into her neck.
"You're perfect," he said sliding his hands down her outer thighs. "Every…single…inch."
They continued walking past the edge of Rukongai and into the forest.
Byakuya's P.O.V.
They walked for some time until they came to a small river.
"Byakuya…" said Hisana, "This is the bridge where we met, remember?"
"Yes," said Byakuya, a drop of sweat rolling down his neck. He swallowed and lifted Hisana by the waist so she was sitting on the rail.
"Hisana…" Byakuya began. "Many years ago, one night, I was particularly irritated about the goings on at my home. In hopes of clearing my head, I snuck out and traveled into Rukongai."
Hisana was listening attentively.
"I stayed on the roofs to avoid the not so friendly people that inhabit Inuzuri. Then I felt the tiny pulse of a reiatsu. It brushed my senses like the wings of a butterfly. I searched for an hour to find the source. When I found it, I thought I had strayed into a dream."
Hisana urged him to continue.
"It…was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. But I realized that it had sensed my presence, and it started to run away. I followed, not wanting to wake up and face reality."
Hisana had a small grin on her face.
"Hisana…" Byakuya took her hand in his. "You have shown me that life isn't always about duty and obedience. You taught me that life is supposed to be enjoyed. And there isn't anything I want more than to share that joy with you by my side."
Hisana's mouth was slightly open.
"And I know that finding your sister is a major part of your life, but I would like to help you carry that burden, to be a shoulder to lean on when you feel like quitting…"
Byakuya had reached into his robe and pulled out a small black box.
"I love you more than anything else. I would put my own life on the line if it meant your safety would be ensured. So I humble myself by asking. Sayuri Hisana, will you marry me?"
He opened the box. Hisana gasped when she saw the ring with a diamond sakura blossom resting in the middle.
Byakuya's heart was beating a mile a minute. He didn't know what he would do if she refused…
Hisana let out a squeal and pounced on Byakuya so forcefully that he was tackled to the ground. She gave him a long, deliberate kiss.
"Captain and Lieutenant Kuchiki of the 6th Division," she whispered. "I like the sound of that…"
Author's Note: Whew, there's some Aizen and Byakuya for, evilness and fluffiness respectively.