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-Three: There You Go
Byakuya's P.O.V.
"And I believe that is all that needs to be discussed. This meeting is over," said one of the elders. Byakuya went to rise from his seat.
"Not just yet, Byakuya. There is one other thing we need to speak to you about,"
Byakuya's uncle remained seated, looking calmly at his nephew.
"What would that be?" asked Byakuya, wishing the meeting would just end.
"That would be your marital position," said Hiroyasu. Byakuya narrowed his eyes. He had yet to tell them about Hisana…
"I've been very patient and reasonable about the whole thing. I have honored your aunt's wish to give you the chance to choose your own bride, but enough is enough. The clan will eventually need an heir, which is why I have decided to take matters into my own hands."
"I assure you, Uncle, your intervention is not required," said Byakuya.
"Oh, I think it is," said Hiroyasu. "I haven't seen you once take interest in any one of your many admirers. You wasted a very precious opportunity that Mameha graciously bestowed upon you. Time is up, Byakuya. Your marriage to Hakuchou Tsuki has already been settled. The Hakuchou family is honored that your wish one of their own to join the Kuchiki clan."
"You will have to give your deepest apologies to them, Uncle, for I have already chosen my bride. I proposed a week ago, and she has gladly accepted."
The elders and council members broke out into whispers.
"Who is she, Kuchiki-taicho?" Sao Feng asked.
"What family is she from?" asked another elder.
"She is of no noble family because she is from Rukongai," said Byakuya. He couldn't put it off anymore. There were going to find out anyway, he might as well tell them now.
"I-I don't think I understand, Kuchiki-taicho," said the elder Kaden. "You…the head of one the Four Great Noble Families….would marry someone from Rukongai and call her a lady? You cannot be serious."
"Has there ever been a time when I wasn't serious?" asked Byakuya.
"How common is this girl?" asked elder Yuan.
"It is irrelevant," said Byakuya dryly.
"What district is this girl from?" demanded another elder.
"The seventy-eighth," said Byakuya without any emotion. The council let out many noises of protest and disgust.
"Have you gone mad?" asked Sao Feng fiercely. "Do you wish to shame us, Kuchiki-sama? How do you know that this girl isn't some random prostitute?"
"Perhaps I should explain," said Byakuya. "She no long lives in Inuzuri. She came to the Seireitei many years ago in hope of a better life. She now resides in the 6th Division of the Gotei 13."
"The spiritual power of her soul does not eliminate the filthiness of her blood!" said another elder.
"Kuchiki-taicho," spoke the calm voice of Countess Ling, "We have no control over what you do in the Gotei 13, but we do have some influence over you when it comes to maintaining the honor of this clan."
Byakuya turned to look at her.
"Why, Kuchiki-taicho?" she asked, "Why not simply take her as your courtesan if you seek love or passion? I fail to see the need to forsake the institution of marriage. You must see her often enough if she is one of your subordinates."
Byakuya started to walk toward the door.
"You all may say whatever you wish, but it shall not sway my decision to take her as my wife." And with that, Byakuya strode out of the room.
Hisana's P.O.V.
Later that afternoon, Hisana was walking away from her Women's Shinigami meeting that Byakuya refused to go to in her place. She was wandering aimlessly until Rangiku caught up to her and nudged her in the ribs.
"What's with the face?" Rangiku asked.
"I don't know what you mean," said Hisana, barely containing a devilish smirk
"I know that look," said Rangiku, "That's the look of a woman desperately in love."
"You are imagining things, Rangiku," said Hisana. "I'm a proud independent woman, and I will not allow any man to tie me down."
"It's in your eyes, Hisana. They're just sparkling," said Rangiku, "Oh, how the mighty tree has fallen. I've waited years for the right guy to yell timber over you."
Hisana scowled.
"Sooo, who is he?" asked Rangiku excitedly.
"I cannot describe someone that only exists in your imagination," said Hisana, who had unwittingly waved her hand to brush off Rangiku. Rangiku gasped and caught Hisana's hand, starring at the diamond sakura ring.
"Oh my God, oh my God!" screamed Rangiku. She was bouncing up and down in enthusiasm.
"So, my cunning gypsy-chan, what man's heart have you stolen, you princess of thieves you." Rangiku pinched Hisana's cheek. Hisana slapped her hand away.
"I can't say, he hasn't even told his family yet," said Hisana.
"He needs approval from his family?" asked Rangiku. Then she brightened her smile. "I bet he's a noble, isn't he?"
Hisana groaned. Rangiku's sense of female intuition was actually right for once.
"Okay, who are all the eligible bachelors of the elite class?" Rangiku asked herself, putting her finger on her chin as she thought.
"The 8th seat of the 4th Division…" Rangiku tried.
"Che," Hisana scoffed, "Like I'd fall for that pretty boy."
"Give me a hint, please…" Rangiku whined.
"He's in my squad," Hisana mumbled.
After twenty minutes, Rangiku had yet to discover Hisana's mysterious suitor. There were both standing in a large square in the 1st Division where Hisana was waiting for Byakuya to get out of a captain's meeting.
"Okay, I know I can do this," said Rangiku. "A sakura blossom, a sakura blossom…"
Finally Rangiku's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She starred at Hisana for a while until…
OH MY GOD! YOU'RE GOING TO MARRY KUCHIKI-TAICHO?" Rangiku screamed.
Her voice echoed throughout the entire square. Someone coughed behind Hisana. She turned to see Captains Kuchiki, Unohana, Ukitake, Ichimaru, and Aizen, standing in her wake. There was silence for what seemed like an eternity.
"May I offer my congratulations to you, Kuchiki-taicho and Sayuri-fukutaicho," said Unohana in her normal gentle tone. Byakuya strode up to Hisana and placed his arm around her shoulders.
"This is absolutely wonderful," said Ukiake-taicho. "Kaien owes me six months of paperwork now."
"Hisana-san went and got together wit' Kuchiki, now that's interestin'," stated Gin, his smile more of a smirk.
Aizen walked past the other captains. "Come, 4th seat Mastumoto," he said. Rangiku followed him. He stopped and turned to look at Hisana. Hisana starred right back at Aizen.
Please don't come around
Talking 'bout that you love me
Cause that love shit just ain't for me
I don't wanna hear that you adore me
And I know that all you're doing is playing your mind games
Don't you know that game beats game?
So your best bet is to be straight with me
"I hope that you will find the greatest of happiness, Sayuri-fukutaicho," he said, his warm smile slightly small than usual. Hisana's eyes narrowed.
So you say you wanna talk, let's talk
If you won't talk, I'll walk
Yeah, it's like that
I got a new man, he's waiting out back
Now what, what you think about that?
Now when I say I'm through, I'm through
Basically I'm through with you
Whatcha wanna say?
Had to have it your way, had to play games
And now you're beggin' me to stay
"Thank you, Aizen-taicho," said Hisana with a final note in her tone.
There you go, looking pitiful
Just because I let you go
There you go, talking 'bout you want me back
But sometimes it beats like that
So there you go, talking 'bout you miss me so
That you love me so
Why I let you go?
Babe, you know, cuz your lies got old
Now look at you, there you go...
And with that, Aizen-taicho walked away from Hisana, not approaching her again for several more years.
Song: There You Go
Artist: Pink
Author's Note: Bye bye Aizen, for now…