A/N: Sorry for the late update, I've been neglecting my fanfics lately and I've been stressing out so much, so sorry!
Dina Sana: I will try my best -smiles-
Lin is Amazing: Thank you. I'll try my best to update as I can
Guest: Thank you. Yeah, I'm planning how strong/potentional she has. I don't want her to become a Mary-sue...
LeoInuyuka: Thank you. I'll try my best.
"Faint"
Summary: Let's replace Hisana for a person named... Honoka! She is the older sister of Rukia and lover of the Sixth Captain of the Gotei 13. She was in a state of comatose from the deep blow of a Grand Fisher. She was a part of the Gotei 13. She had finally awoken from her comatose state after all these decades, finding herself in the middle of the beginning.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor any pictures (though I might've edited them), they belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCS and some other things that aren't mention in the series.
Chapter three: Even Little things matter to you
Most of the Kuchiki members and elders were sitting into two separate lanes with the the current Kuchiki head sitting in front of the four maids. The three followers of the lesser noble, Minako, had lowered their bow deeply to the ground where the nose were barely touching the floors. Their eyes were full of shame and fear. Minako was sitting up, her knees tucking underneath her bottom. Her head up high as if she was a higher status of any other nobles.
Honoka was silently seething, angered by the ex-noble's previous actions. Though she was holding a calm mask that hides her negative feelings. She avoided the curious, worried gaze the young Kuchiki; whose amongst the other members.
"What is exactly going on? The temperature in the manor had become chilly. Frosts were forming in some places. There was a lot of complaints. Shouts were heard from the servants headquarters. I would like to know the truth."
"Lord Kuchiki, my friends and I have been walking towards our rooms when Hanaro here, pushed me against the wall." Minako started, gesturing her arm towards the maid beside her.
"It's Honoka." The onyx-eyed maid corrected, coolly.
"I simply don't care what your name is. You have used violence onto me without a reason at all! Raising your reiyouku whenever I tried to fight back!" The ex-noble maid's voice raised, her lies tasting on her tounge.
Onyx-eyes narrowed at the riduculous lies the ex-noble had made.
"I beg your pardon, but I believe you should silence your tounge of lies." Honoka interjected, causing a gasp emitted from the woman's mouth.
"Lord Kuchiki, I believe you have been lied to. The true story was the maids, particularly Hinagiku-san, had threaten me. I had tolerated it at first until she had done something unforgivable." Her onyx-eyes narrowed and her lips formed into a grim line.
"And what is the reason they had threaten you, if what you are telling is true?" One of the elders asked.
"... I cannot say." She answered, a small frown on her face. She didn't want to break the bond between Byakuya-sama and herself. She had enjoyed his visits although she does not know if she is infatuated with him.
"Lord Kuchiki, Honoka-san is telling the truth." One of Minako's followers blurted out. Her eyes staring down at the floor boards, trying to ignore the burning gaze of her friend.
"But she has no right to form a relationship with your grandson other than servant and master! I had told her to position herself in her rightful place, a lowly maid." Minako cut in.
"I see..." Ginrei mused, everyone waited for his next words. The head of the Kuchiki manor turned his gaze on his grandson, whose staring at Honoka with concern grey orbs.
"Hinagiku, I believe you have not been permitted to do such. There is no need to be involve with a relationship between commoner and noble." Ginrei stated; murmers bursts among the members, especially the elders. His grandson's eyes widen in relief, a small unnoticable smile laying across his lips.
"That's absurb! Nobles and Commoners should stay away from each other, there's a distinct boundaries between the two!"
"Yes. Just kick her out of the Kuchiki manor and this incident will be gone in an instant."
"Silence!"
Everyone quieted.
"I do not want to hear any more outbursts. Honoka will not be punished nor kicked out of the manor. Hinagiku will also stay away from Honoka and vice versa, understood?"
There was a few protests, but snapped closed when they felt the pressure in the air thicken by a reikyoukai.
"Now everyone, meeting is adjourned." The Kuchiki head declared and everyone stood up, clammering about.
"Honoka, stay here." Ginrei commanded when the maid was about to walk out of the room with the Kuchiki heir.
"Kuchiki-sama, please go on ahead of me. Do not worry." Honoka smiled, trying to reassure her friend whose looking back at her with concern in his eyes.
After the last few elders left with reluctants, giving the onyx-eyed maid the evil eyes once they stepped out of the room; it had only left her with the head of the Kuchiki manor. Her hands were clutched around each other, wringing them. Her onyx orbs staring at her feet with nervousness waivering from her form.
"Come sit." He ordered, his wise eyes pointing at the cushion in front of him. She obliged, sitting hesitantly on the velvet cushion. She lied her small hands onto her lap, waiting patiently for the elder to talk.
"You have potential." He stated causing her to blink in confusion.
"Eh?" She tilted her head, a few strands of her black hair slipping out of her bun.
"You have potential to become a shinigami." He repeated. Onyx orbs widen in surprise, hands slightly curled. She felt nervous, her stomach churned.
"I..."
"You have a zanpakuto." He interjected.
She immediately stood up, shock and dread shaking her body. Her wide onyx orbs staring down at the calm elder with a hint of coldness.
"Sit down." He said, calmly.
"Ah... I apologize for my sudden action." She flushed, sitting back down.
"Do you think I have not noticed? I began to be suspicious of you due to the small reiyouku you have within you. I have guards and some of my officers to give me a report on you from day and night. I was waiting for you to confirm my suspicions and it seems you are suitable to be a shinigami. I have decided to send you off to Shino academy that my grandson is soon graduating."
"Lord Kuchiki, I don't want to enter Shino Academy. I want to stay as a maid in the Kuchiki manor." She objected.
"I understand you still have the will to serve the Kuchiki manor, but that is not the only reason for you to stay is it?" His wise grey orbs connected with onyx orbs.
"..." She turned her head to the side, losing contact with the elder.
"You have feelings for my grandson, am I wrong?"
Snapping her head to his direction, eyes widen before it return to its normal size.
"... Honestly, I do develop some feelings towards Kuchiki-sama. I love his stubborn, arrogant, gentle, honest personality though he hides a few secrets within himself." Honoka replied, confidently with her head up high.
"I see..." A small twinkle glinted in his old grey orbs.
"It would be a waste for you to throw away your potential to stay in your position. What are your thoughts of staying here in the Manor, still as a maid; but attend the Shino Academy during most of the daytime?"
"I want to have some time to gather my thoughts."
"That is fine. I will give you a weeks time. Until then, you will continue your daily duties." He dismissed before she left the room, her mind wandering off.
"Miss Honoka, Lord Kuchiki has called for you." A maid called out, knocking on the door of the said girl's room.
Surprise evident on her face, she began to feel uneasy. Reflex. She thinks she might either be fired, doing something horrible, or become a messenger. She didn't want any of the first two, but she knew she wouldn't be a messenger since someone at the current moment it messenging her for the lord.
She slide the screen door, revealing the Head of the Kuchiki manor. He was sitting on the cushion, a brown table sitting in front of him. A tea set placed on the small table.
"Sit down." The voice rumbled through the room, his grey old eyes pointing at the cushion sat across from him.
She noddled, scuttling towards the cushion and took her seat, her back straighten with prim. She bowed to the ground, waiting for her employer to say something.
"You get up now, child."
Hearing his calm, soothing voice; she sat up and waited patiently for his order.
"Yes, Lord Kuchiki?"
"Have you figure out your answer?"
"Ah..." A frown set on her face, she furrowed her brows in thoughtfulness.
The wise elder waited patiently, taking a sip out of his teacup. He watched the young soul out of the corner of his eye. It was obvious she had not thought about her choices after their talk.
Should she get stronger with her zanpakuto? Or should she continue working on her daily work and tasks without any improvement with her strength and power?
"I will agree." She firmly decided.
If she became stronger, she will be able to protect her loved ones and employers.
Especially him...
A/N: Sorry, if it's not good. I didn't proofread it since I'm busy and under stress. Please don't expect me to update it quickly, I'm trying the best as I can.