AN: I'm early updating again. That's because: A, I start my work placement tomorrow for the next two weeks and might forget to update in the middle of the week and B, I lose my internet for a week on Saturday and want to spread the updates a little. The next chapter will probably be on Friday, and the one after on Saturday. Why am I telling you this? I dunno, but I thought you should know. Okay, I'm glad you guys reviewed and found the last chapter sad. But Hisana's death is you know… long gone. I try to follow canon to the best of my ability, and her magically not dying would be a big no-no in my book. I don't really touch upon her illness again, if that cheers folks up (or do I? Suspense!!!). Reviews… once again this ends on chapter thirty. It doesn't finish on the last chapter (thus this being here). Sadder, is a word. I'm so glad that I managed to make people sad about this chapter. No in a sadistic "mwahahah, SUFFER!!!" kind of way, but the warm fuzzy feeling of a job well done. So thank you all! But enough – time for happier times! Theme twelve, chapter twenty five – roll film!

12. In A Good Mood

The day after Byakuya's proposal was surreal. The Kuchiki house was in something of a silent uproar over the announcement. Byakuya appeared unperturbed by the house's denial of his actions, though soon set them right, Hisana guessed, since the rest of the household walked around with tightly controlled expressions that spoke even more volumes than originally.

Hisana sighed. She was in her usual daily routine of searching Rukongai. Her escape from the house was a much needed one now the tension had increased tenfold. She could only hope it would ease with time.

'They have to get used to the idea and me eventually,' she thought while traversing across a Rukongai roof, keeping her eyes trained on the milling market crowd.

But it didn't seem like anything would ever change.

Byakuya was training with Captain Ukitake, but found himself unable to focus. His stoic demeanour had temporarily broken down. He couldn't even be angry at himself for not being disciplined, because the feeling inside of him pushed all doubt aside.

Eventually Captain Ukitake stopped, sealing his zanpaku-tô and approaching his protégé.

"You're in a good mood, Kuchiki-san," said Jûshirô, looking distinctly curious.

For once in his life, Byakuya found he couldn't keep something to himself.

"I have proposed to someone and she accepted, Captain," he explained, sealing his own sword and sheathing it. Despite how he felt, he refrained from grinning manically. He had a certain amount of face he had to keep up, no matter how nice Captain Ukitake was. The man could be a gossip, especially with a friend like Captain Kyôraku. Byakuya assured himself he hadn't completely lost his head.

Captain Ukitake looked shocked.

"Someone is marrying you?" he paused before his eyes flared, "Not that I mean no-one would, you're a young, handsome man, Kuchiki-san! What I meant was that this seems rather out of the blue. I haven't heard of you courting anyone. I'm sure the Shinigami Women's Associating would have mentioned something… they have an eye on you as a future prospect, but if you're marrying… they may be less than pleased."

Byakuya had no idea what his Captain was talking about, but neither did he care. He didn't care about anything much, save the feeling burning inside of him and the woman that inspired it. Captain Ukitake appeared to recognise the expression on his protégé's face and shake his head with a smile.

"Kuchiki-san, congratulations. The lady is very lucky. However, there is still work to be done before you return home. We can take a break, though. But then we deal with paperwork," Jûshirô said, heading back to the Thirteenth Division's headquarters. Byakuya followed without comment, trying to retain the mask he'd spent so long building up by wiping the smile off his face.

But it didn't seem like his expression would ever change.

Hisana sat in the room where Byakuya did most of the paperwork he brought home, reading a book from the living world. It didn't make much sense to her, but was still intriguing trying to decipher it. Another day's searching had tired her out somewhat, but she wanted to talk with Byakuya about the house situation. If they reacted like this to the engagement, what was the wedding going to be like? And what did people outside of the house think?

However, an hour later with no sign of Byakuya to have a conversation with, the book had reached the limits of tolerance and she put it down in favour of getting some fresh air. The tension in the house was positively tangible and made her uneasy when Byakuya wasn't around.

She stood out on the veranda, remembering when he had shown her Senbonzakura and how they had changed since that night. A moment in a long line where she had let an issue go. Sometimes when she thought of that night, she got angry; Angry he had put her in such a position when she was so afraid, angry he didn't apologise aloud, angry for all sorts of reasons, some with merit, others not. But there were also times when she looked on that night as a large step forward into each others arms. It had been about trust, not control, perhaps. He had recognised her fear and minimised the number of razor sharp petal shapes. Trust could be romantic, she realised, but dangerous. It could turn from soft petal shapes to deadly sharp blades and cut deeper than she dared to imagine.

'Why am I dwelling on such things?'

The house was depressing without her now fiancé around.

'Fiancé…' It warmed her heart to think of it. Yesterday had been something she'd never let herself forget. Hisana closed her eyes and smiled.

Warm, strong arms slid around her waist, making her sigh and lean back.

"Byakuya…" she breathed, opening her eyes.

"Good evening," he replied, his lips brushing her neck before pressing a series of butterfly kisses across her jaw. She chuckled, surprised at his open cheerfulness.

"You're rather happy," she commented, turning her head to gauge his expression.

He was staring out into the dusky gardens, his eyes looking lively. The change from his usual expressionless face made Hisana's heart jump pleasantly. He rested his head on her shoulder, still looking straight ahead, as if he were looking into the future.

"Hisana, I'm… happy. Truly happy. I've hardly felt this way before. I don't care who denies our engagement, because I'm happy. I would hope you feel this way too."

She felt her heart swell with joy at his words, his expression… she had never seen his smile look so bright or his eyes crinkle above that smile so honestly. This was Byakuya without illusions, and Hisana found him utterly entrancing.

"Byakuya… you should be this way more often…" she whispered, drawing close to him.

And in her mind and heart, as he leant down to capture her lips and draw her inside, she prayed that he would always hold these moments in his heart and never let them go.

She prayed he would always have access to those times and rekindle this happiness, even for just a moment.