Chapter 3 – Morning Light
Byakuya had not waited up for word that Kukaku had come back. No, he had been up half the night working. Or at least that was the excuse he would give. He'd been mildly concerned that she would run off back to her home. Part of him had faith that she would honor their contract, but with the disposition that she was known for it wouldn't have surprised him if she ran off.
Come morning, Byakuya was out in the estate's courtyard, sitting beneath an ancient sakura tree. The blossoms had begun to fall, and Byakuya occupied himself with counting them. Falling petals associated themselves with old memories, mostly of his late wife. In the five years they had been married, they spent most of their mornings here, enjoying the quiet and the freedom from the family's constant disapproval of their union.
He watched, counting mentally as the petals fell, landing on the stone lanterns around the courtyard, in the small koi pond, and briefly, before the wind would pick them up again, into his outstretched hand. And then with a small gust of wind they were off again to find a more final destination.
It was Kukaku's ritual to take a walk in the morning. It was the most comforting period of the day for her. She generally spent her afternoons concerning herself with Ganju's whereabouts and hoping that he was keeping out of trouble, and her nights were devoted to missing Kaien. The morning was the only time her mind could be completely cleared, and she could devote a little time to thinking about herself.
Kukaku wasn't exactly sure how she'd ended up in the open garden, but she had to admit it was far nicer than anything that she'd ever had on her property. Trees had never really been an option with her line of work. Too much of a chance of hitting one and things catching fire, and things catching fire was never good unless it was intentional.
She looked over as she came across Byakuya, sitting by a small pond. Kukaku stood, observing him, standing several yards behind him on the stone pathway that lead back into the building. It wasn't as though Byakuya was unaware of her presence, but he chose not to turn, or to speak to her.
A nearly complete blossom fell into his hand, resting there for several moments before another breeze picked up and carried it. Kukaku gently reached out, catching the flower in it's decent. It was almost like an unspoken greeting between the two. Almost.
Kukaku may have been a woman of seemingly destructive hobby, but she was not a total savage. Her life did not revolve around destroying things. Kukaku could appreciate beautiful things. Beautiful things were the reason she created fireworks. It made her uneasy that her talents were being used to create weapons, instead of something beautiful. But they were weapons meant for protection of the innocent. If she could prevent what had happened to Kaien from happening again, that would be enough.
The morning seemed to make them two different people. They became more than the arrogant, cold shinigami and the loud, eccentric pyro-technician. Looking at them in that light, they really weren't all that different.
"I have yet to properly thank you, Lady Shiba." Byakuya finally spoke up. He exhaled lightly, still not turning to face her. "You have my thanks for aiding us, and giving your work to us." He rose slowly walking forward to the wooden steps that lead back to his room so he could get ready for his day. "You may work as you please. Your workstation is ready for you. I must attend to my duties as a Captain and will likely not be around most of the day. If you need me for anything, send someone for me."
Kukaku stared momentarily, surprised by Byakuya's thanks. It had been unexpected, but after the shock wore off, it set Kukaku at ease. She had almost forgotten that she was under contract. The work had been paid for, in a manner of speaking and she was obligated to see it through. She could not just do whatever she pleased. "I will begin work immediately. I will have rough draft sketches for you to approve by this evening."
Byakuya gave a nod and walked inside without another word to her. Kukaku turned, still carrying the fallen blossom, and walked back the way she came, returning to her room. Yes, it was time to get to work.