Chapter 8- Mixed Emotions

If Kuchiki Byakuya had noted the strange, spitting static that seemed to be almost silently engulfing the room that night, he mentioned nothing of it. He had however intently observed Hisana's sudden change in attitude and body language when she had entered the room and his eyes had narrowed at her sudden cold reception of his guests. He had never known Hisana to display such frigidity to any of his associates and he was, quite frankly somewhat stunned.

She had swiftly deposited the tray upon a table and had meekly excused herself as she left once more. He had expected her to stay and at least stir some small talk (something Hisana was quite adept at) now that the primary discussions were over. So he watched with knitted brows then as she escaped from the room and was rather surprised when one, a Mr. Shiba Kaien asked if he could be excused for a minute. The latter had silently indicated his finger to his mobile phone and Byakuya had politely nodded, his mind still somewhat confused and preoccupied by Hisana's peculiar behaviour. He was worried about her. It was not often that she looked so… utterly distressed…

Hisana on the other hand was by now angrily making her way down the hall towards the kitchen, her steps perhaps a little more forceful than they should have been. Her fingers were tightly clutched into small fists at her sides and her petite frame was almost trembling with rage. Even her mind was on overload as she gritted her teeth in frustration.

What on earth was Kaien doing here of all places! Why did Byakuya have to engage in any form of business with that two timing, grasping all the opportunities that came his way, absolutely selfish bastard who left women hanging on the edge of a rope, Shiba Kaien! Why? Why when she had found some new escape did he have to follow her here too? It was repulsively unfair.

She was heavily breathing by now, her breaths short and rapid. She closed her eyes in silent agitation and immediately ceased her brisk pace as she helplessly and weakly pressed her back against the wall and buried her face deep into her palms in frustration.

"Oh dear merciful God…" she weakly muttered.

She was certain of one thing though and that was the fact that she was no longer in love with Kaien. But why, why did he have to show up in her life now? She had taken all the necessary steps to ensure he had been permanently removed from her life. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him and she was positively determined to avoid meeting him at all costs. She knew Byakuya would have been expecting her to keep him and the guests company but she was most certainly not prepared to bare the humiliation of being in the same room with that man who had double crossed her heart and made a complete and utter fool out of her. She was definitely not going to allow that to happen again.

Her breathing had slowed by now and her rage had somewhat subsided. She would never be able to forgive Kaien for the embarrassment he had caused her and she had no intention of even saying hello to him. But oh dear! How odd fate works…he didn't seem to be thinking that way at all…

"Hisana?" a deep, masculine voice wafted over to the unsuspecting girl.

Hisana felt her heart freeze in her chest at that unexpected sound and she swiftly turned on her heels as she regarded the man standing almost ten feet away from her in the corridor. Her eyes expanded in pure horror before immediately narrowing at his slow but certain approach. Oh God…

"What do you want with me?" she silently asked, her voice almost emotionless as she tightened her fists once more.

"Hisana it's me, Kaien!" He confidently raised his index against his chest, his coal black hair silkily falling into his blue eyes.

Hisana carefully studied him quite aware of who he was before closing her eyes and defiantly turning her back. "I know." She darkly muttered. "Don't you have a meeting to attend?" Her voice echoed with remnants of frigidity as she dug her fingernails deeper into her palms.

There was an unexpected silence before his voice softly answered. "It's over now…"

"Well you should be leaving this place then." She murmured before making an attempt to continue her walk away from him. She had barely made two steps however, when he suddenly gripped her slender wrist and reeled her in against his frame. An alarmed gasp escaped her lips and she instantly felt her body stiffen in response to his touch. Her violet eyes widened in absolute terror and she unconsciously pressed her hands against his chest.

"K-Kaien!" she helplessly cried when she realised their proximity. "What-what are you doing?"

He softly regarded her then, his hands firmly circling around her tiny waist, his face mere inches from her own.

"Why the sudden hesitance Hisana?" he gently queried as he tenderly brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes.

"W-what do you mean?" she feebly whispered as she stared up at him. She was quivering not in want but in fear…

"I mean, you were never so frigid about my previous attentions… you welcomed them, if I recall correctly." he silkily murmured as he began to caressingly run the back of his palm against her cheek.

"I- you are a married man now." She forcefully murmured as she attempted to free herself from his unyielding grip.

"Oh?"

Hisana shot him a scathing glare as she continued to struggle. "Please, just let me be Kaien!" she helplessly pleaded. His grip was still unrelenting as he amusingly stared down at her struggling frame. It was almost sadistic.

"Oh come on Hisana, you know I only married my wife for the sake of furthering my business aspirations." He silkily murmured.

Hisana could almost feel a tangible disgust swelling within at his self assured arrogance and if she were an unprofessional woman she would not have hesitated about slapping him squarely on his face.

"You unscrupulous bastard…" she seethed through gritted teeth.

"Unscrupulous?" he slowly murmured. "I've always loved you Hisana… how dare you think such a thing?"

"You've always loved me?" she passionately cried. "You have never loved me a day and I was such a fool to fall for your cheap antics!"

"Oh come on Hisana!" he laughingly replied with amused eyes. "You think it's coincidence that we met here tonight? It's supposed to be; our love…" he softly finished as he cupped her chin. "We could meet during weekends, no one has to know about our liaisons and we could always pick up where we left off…" his eyes had dangerously softened and he was sensuously tracing his thumb over her lips.

"H-how dare y!-"

"Besides you do look rather inviting tonight…" he silkily cut her off as he pressed his index against her lips.

"H-how dare you approach me with such an unsanctified request!" she bellowed as she forcefully hit away his hand.

"Unsanctified?" he slowly repeated. "Oh, but we're adults, surely you're not so naïve Hisana as to doubt a man's desire…?" His lips were now just before her ear as he leaned in. "Besides, my wife isn't here… it won't hurt…I'll be gentle…" Hisana's eyes widened at his insinuation and she flinched as his lips began to trace her cheek.

"Please… stop…" she helplessly whimpered as she struggled in vain to twist her face away from his touch. She felt so repulsed presently, so utterly repulsed. All of this was so wrong, so humiliating and there was nothing, nothing she could brutally do to stop his advances.

"Stop it Kaien!" she begged in an attempt to save herself, "Cease this immediately, please!"

"Are you afraid your new boss will find you…?" he thickly whispered as he brushed her lips and sneakily tightened his grip upon her waist. Hisana could have spat in his face just then at the putrid contact. Oh God why was this happening?

She could bear the shame no more and violently pushed against the man only to have her wrists tightly bound in his hand.

"Naughty tonight I see… I like that…"

Hisana's eyes widened at his insolent remark and just as she was about to scream and scream for the life of her she felt his heated lips crashing down upon her own as she brutally struggled in vain to push off his larger frame. Ah but he was so much stronger than her… so much stronger…

He forcefully gripped her shoulders then to stable her wild protests and angrily tried to invade her mouth with his tongue. Hisana was flaying like a mad woman in his arms, and she restlessly tried to stomp at his feet or any other lower region which were accessible to her stilettos. God help her she was so humiliated, so very humiliated…

So when there was a sudden lapse in the force of his kiss Hisana's mind instantly began to spin in maddened pandemonium. She was flabbergasted then when she suddenly felt Kaien's harsh grip loosen. What was going on? Her mind shrieked. There was a sudden rush of noise and the shuffle of feet before a vain attempt at struggle. She gasped at the sudden freedom that was afforded to her and almost screamed when she realised someone had forcefully pushed her away. She could feel the sudden rushing coldness as it flew in on her exposed skin and she wearily realised then that someone had parted Kaien away from her. She breathlessly stumbled back in confusion then, her eyes widened in amazed horror as she saw Kaien instantaneously slammed against the wall, a hand firmly pressed around his neck. Oh Lord…

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Byakuya dangerously murmured. Hisana almost fell to her knees as she observed his taller frame before her, her heart rapidly pounding in her chest and her eyes almost spinning in her head. His back was to her and he had pinned down the helpless Kaien upon the wall. There was a dangerous almost deadly aura radiating from him and Hisana was weak with the forceful, almost overpowering presence. Even his voice had been lethal and Hisana was weakly watching the performance before her, her chest still heaving from her previous fight to escape.

"I- Mr. Kuchiki!" Kaien managed to choke out as he gripped Byakuya's hands in desperation.

Byakuya strengthened his hold on the man as he bitingly hissed once more, "What the fuck is wrong with you Mr. Shiba?"

"I-she-she…"

"She what?" Byakuya angrily demanded.

"She… she…" Kaien confusedly gulped, "She-"

The CEO narrowed his eyes in disgust then and lowly snarled without waiting for the other man to continue, "You touch her again and I swear that is the end of our contract Mr. Shiba." There was an ominous silence that followed that sentence as both men silently but defiantly regarded the other. After full half minute of the deadened silence Byakuya let go of Kaien as he lamely crumpled to the floor his eyes still widened in confusion at the sudden and unexpected words he and heard. He had never even suspected that this would have happened and he was quite frankly dumbfounded.

Byakuya closed his eyes then as he turned away from the despicable man and much to Hisana's horror he began to advance towards her! She unconsciously cowered as he approached, her heart pounding from the ominous expression pressed upon his visage. He mercilessly gripped her fingers in his own then and roughly pulled her to her feet before beginning to literally drag her away from the corridor.

"Your other companion has left Mr. Shiba." Byakuya dangerously murmured as neared the corridor's stairway. "I suggest you do the same as well." And with that piercing address he disappeared with a mortified Hisana in tow as they made their way up the stairs to the privacy of a room.

ooooOOOoooo

Hisana was helplessly observing Byakuya's back as he literally dragged her along the staircase. She almost stumbled on two occasions and had to swiftly find her equilibrium before he moved on without her. He had not even uttered a ghostly word to her and she could still observe the fury that was emanating from his movements…his shoulders…his touch…; his hands were relentlessly gripping her own and it was almost too painful to bear, both physically and emotionally. She was too afraid to mention the fact though; he was evidently livid and she feared for her fate at his hands…

"B-Byakuya?" she apprehensively whispered after a lengthy and ominous silence had stretched on between them.

He did not acknowledge her however and continued his brisk pace until he stopped before his bedroom door. He dangerously glanced at her from over his shoulders before swinging open the door and jerking her deeper within his room.

She nervously gulped at the force he used to pull her in and frighteningly whimpered when his hold became even more iron like. Hisana then found herself gasping in astonishment as he cradled her in his arms with her dangling legs and literally threw her onto his bed with a resounding thud. Her heart was furiously palpitating as she hit the soft mattress and she clutched her chest as Byakuya ominously approached the foot of the bed. Dear God what was he going to do…?

She was officially terrified for she was now uncertain of her where her fate lay in his grasp; Byakuya could be gentle, this she knew but she should not have forgotten he also had the power to hurt and hurt most ruthlessly.

Her hands were pressed upon the sheets behind her and she had unconsciously begun to inch back as he advanced, his icy glare almost ripping her heart to pieces. He stilled just before the foot of the bed however, his eyes narrowed as he observed her helpless frame upon the mattress.

"Explain yourself." he coldly murmured as he callously examined her. There was an unreadable emotion pressed deep within his icy eyes as he observed her flustered movements upon the sheets. It seemed as though he was stacking his tumultuous fury of emotions quietly at bay and Hisana was unsure of how to read his intentions. But she could not let him look at her like that, she could not bear the way his eyes nakedly ripped through her. It was unbearable. So she was quite surprised with herself then at the sudden explosion of defence that escaped her lips. She had not even recalled wanting to say a thing.
"I- it's not what you think!" she cried, her eyes wildly searching his own.

He watched her for a moment before closing his eyes in frustration and running his hands through his hair. "And what exactly do I think?" he quietly asked after a gnawing silence.

"You-you think I led him on…" she hastily maundered.

Byakuya quirked an eyebrow before shoving his hands into his pockets,

"And did you?"

Hisana's eyes widened at his query. "No!" she cried "No of course not! He followed me and tried to... he was the one who did it, please believe me Byakuya. I would have never led him on. Please you have to believe me!" she was literally begging by now as she helplessly looked up at him.

Hisana watched with desperate eyes as he observed her. She could tell he was trying to weigh her words in his head and she pleadingly gaped up at him, silently asking that he trust her.

He heaved a weary sigh at her silent pleads however before turning his back towards her. She lowered her gaze then, her heart pounding in despair. "Please believe me Byakuya," she softly began again "I-I would never do something like that…" She slowly looked up then to see his back was still towards her.

There was no further display of emotion from him and Hisana felt herself becoming almost frantic. She felt the urgent need to make him believe her and she hopelessly closed her eyes as she felt the anguish bearing down on her. How could he not believe her? She miserably tried again; she had to make him believe, she just had to…

"He used to be my fiancé…" she softly murmured as she lowered her head.

Byakuya's back visibly stiffened then and he slowly turned around to regard the sombre expression painted upon her countenance. His eyes were almost dangerously flashing.

"Oh…?"

"He… he left me for another woman and… I-don't you see Byakuya! I don't love him, I never did!"

"You never loved him?" he expressionlessly enquired, his brows quirked in maddening disbelief.

"I thought I did… but I realise now that my feelings, they were so much different back then-"

Byakuya had suddenly approached without warning as he pressed one of his knees between her legs upon the mattress and leaned in towards her. He had placed his index against her lips and was intently eyeing her agony filled eyes. His face was mere inches from her own and the scent of his cologne was tantalisingly lingering in the air as he deeply stared into her violet orbs.

"Hisana…" his eyes were searching and there was an unexplainable confusion clouding his features as he whispered her name. He gently cupped her cheek then and tilted her face up to his as he wearily sighed.

"Why do you defend yourself so?" he softly murmured. He was pressed dangerously close to her body and his hair was softly brushing against the skin of her cheeks as he leaned over her.

Hisana's eyes widened at his question and she felt her pulse quicken. "I-I- because you are my employer…" she whispered after a moment's hesitation.

Byakuya's eyes narrowed at her response and he wearily closed them after a few seconds.

"And why…" he murmured as he began to gently stroke her cheek, "Why do you tell me that you no longer love him. What does that have to do with your employment Hisana…?" He had opened his eyes by now, his steely eyes keenly observing her every reaction.

"I… I don't know…" she helplessly faltered as she averted her gaze from his hypnotic one. The feel of his fingers against her skin was making thinking difficult and she would have gladly thrown herself in his arms then if they could just forget the entire episode had even occurred.

He emotionlessly watched as the expressions played out on her lowered face and he lightly removed his hand after a while before standing and tiredly walking away. He stopped just before his full length mirror, his eyes closed and his hands pressed deep within his pockets. There was an almost heavy silence lingering in the room and it wasn't after quite a lengthy pause did Byakuya break that silence. "You do not need to justify your emotions to me Hisana." He tiredly murmured. He glanced at her tattered reflection upon the bed then, "They are and never will be my concern."

Hisana felt her heart almost shatter into smithereens upon his rock cold comment and she was certain that Byakuya had just remorselessly thrown her love in her face even if he were unaware of it.

"Wh-what are you saying…?" she slowly and breathlessly asked, as she felt the sting of tears beginning to well within her eyes.

He had stilled at her words and he recklessly ran his hands through his hair. "I am saying that you don't have to worry. I won't fire you for your… tryst… if that is why you're so concerned."

He then shot her an over the shoulder glance before making his way towards the door. He was damn well exhausted and his head was spinning. He wanted no further indulgences in the matter and he would gladly try to forget that another man had even tried to touch her… if it were possible…

As he approached the door and gripped the knob he murmured, "We have a plane to catch tomorrow. You should get some rest." He closed the door behind him then and disappeared from the room as he began to make his way downstairs towards the living room.

He agitatedly ran his hands through his hair once more (something he seems to do when he's really frustrated and pissed as you can see) and soundly loosened the tie from around his neck as he literally sunk into one of the sofas.

"Toushiro!" he lamely called as he began to unbutton his shirt.

"Yes Mr. Kuchiki?" the white haired boy subserviently murmured as he appeared from another room.

"Vodka… bring me a bottle of Vodka…"

Sorry to all you Kaien fans out there, I'm sorry if I made Kaien sound like a real turd but well… somebody had to be the kinda villain guy right? Hehe (weakly laughs) plz 4give me and yes I also do like Kaien too, so u see?

Ok now secondly I found out something really exciting (well at least it was to me, hope it is to you too) and I must and got to thank ScarletLeaves for sharing this info with me. Don't laugh if you think it trivial but I just couldn't help myself. (I think I'm too obsessed with Byakuya and the Kuchiki Family for my own good) OK so we've fianlly found out Byakuya's real dad name and it's Kuchiki Sojun! And OMG he looks just like Byakuya but just kinder and seems to smile a whole lot more! It was some info from the new Bleach Character Book! I was so excited when I saw it, lol! I thought it was all so funky and all ^^