Chapter 11- A breath of 'half' relief.

"HISANA! How-how could you do this to meeeeee?"

Hisana watched with widened eyes and uncontainable astonishment as Shiba Kaien began wildly flaying in the arms of the rather robust and severe looking man who had presently detained him. There were long tears streaming down his cheeks and his mouth was widely opened as he literally began to throw a tantrum. Curses, swears, perhaps a slap across the cheek… but a tantrum? No, Hisana had not expected this kind of behaviour from Kaien at all.

She had arrived in Kabukicho almost 10 minutes ago and had ensured that Kaien's arrival in front of the Love Hotel where she was currently standing was perfectly visible in between the throngs of people and tourists sprawling the vast streets in the district. However, it was at the moment when Kaien had smugly offered his proffered arm to Hisana to guide her into the hotel they had been accosted.

He was initially taken back when he found himself unexpectedly confronted by a large man in a black suit. When realisation finally set in though, about the fact that this apparent 'guard' was one of his father in law's most trusted body guards he officially went into panic mode. He had shoved a poor Hisana onto the dirty pavement and instantly begun a defence that would not have been able to even render a baby innocent. When his wife next appeared on the scene, Hisana was certain he had gone into severe cardiac arrest. She had felt some tiny pangs of sympathy for him though… but well justice had to be served right?

"I thought we had something, I thought you were serious! Why did you have to do this to me Hisana!" His voice had been reduced to the wailings of an almost petulant child by now who had by some means been snuck out whilst attempting to kill a bird or some other poor creature. His feet were wildly kicking and his arms were all over as he tried to evade capture. "And you brought her, herof all people." He venomously spat. "Why Hisana? WHYYYY?"

Hisana gaped on in unmasked disbelief at his immature behaviour and found it near difficult to control the sudden surge of laughter that was scraping at her throat. "Oh! The deceit!" he dramatically exclaimed as he raised his hand to his forehead, "I thought our love was real Hisana, I thought we were in love!" Hisana blinked on at his ridiculous words and closed her eyes out of pity for his current circumstance. She felt as though she were caught up in some over exaggerated modern version of a Shakespearian comedy. It was all really quite pathetic.

His eyes had then narrowly shifted to the other woman who was also standing beside Hisana and she too seemed almost aghast at the behaviour she was witnessing from this man whom she called her husband. Both women blinked in astonishment at his spoilt, childish behaviour before confusedly exchanging glances.

He was still pitifully crying by the time he was literally shoved into a sleek black BMW and he had by now desperately pressed his palms against the window, long, helpless tears still streaming down his cheeks as the car engine started and the car began to move away. He was clawing at the glass of the window and there were inaudible words escaping his mouth from within the confines of the car.

Oh dear… he really was a helpless man…

Hisana shook her head in disbelief once again and heaved a weary sigh as she closed her eyes. She most certainly not anticipated that level of immaturity from Kaien, no most certainly not. It really was too unbelievable. But at least, at least now she could breathe something akin to relief. Kaien was officially out of her life.

The small crowd of people that had gathered in interest were by now beginning to dissipate as they realised the commotion had finally subsided. They slowly resumed their original routine in the Kabukicho district, softly muttering about whatever had transpired. There was always something dramatic to witness in this place and for them, well it was like nothing new really. Cheating husbands, exposed mistresses… ah these things were common place in this part of town.

"Thank you so much."

Hisana's thoughts were suddenly broken as her mind was shifted back to the present by that soft voice. She glanced up at the petite, brown haired woman standing beside her and managed a small smile.

"You're, um welcome…" Hisana uncertainly muttered. "But-but at the same time, I'm also very sorry about everything Mrs. Shiba…" Hisana trailed away with a small voice. She had begun to fidget with her fingers. Getting Kaien out of her life was good, but somebody else had to face to the unfortunate reality she had just exposed. No one would have like to face a reality like that… Hisana knew that truth all too well.

The young woman, Miyako gave a weak smile at Hisana's words before folding her arms against her chest and closing her eyes. She sighed momentarily before opening her eyes once more and solemnly regarding the small black haired woman before her. "No. There's nothing to be sorry about." She quietly began. "You were honest and that counts for so much." She raised her eyes to Hisana's then and softly continued, "I had no idea Kaien was that kind of man…" There was hurt there and Hisana could read it well.

Hisana then frowned at the woman's words and softly murmured, "Well to tell the truth, I didn't think he would have stooped that low either."

"You were once his fiancé, am I right? Miyako hesitantly asked after a pause.

Hisana lamely nodded and encouragingly smiled at her. "Once upon a time I was… yes…"

"D-do you still love him Miss Hisana?"

Hisana gravely grinned at the woman and gave a small chuckle as she shook her head in the negative. "No. I don't."

Miyako raised her eyes in surprise then and lowered her gaze. "Someone else…?" she smilingly asked.

"Unfortunately… yes…"

"Unfortunately?" Miyako surprisingly asked.

"I-I don't think he's willing to return what I am so eager to give." Hisana wistfully murmured.

"It seems we're two women doomed in love huh?" Miyako wearily murmured as she gave a small smile.

Hisana blankly blinked for a moment at the woman's words before shaking her head and thoughtfully placing her index beneath her chin. "That's not true, you still have Kaien."

"And you think Kaien will behave himself now?

Hisana kindly smiled at the young girl and nodded. "Well you have the opportunity to try with him Miss Miyako… I'm not very sure I even have that opportunity with my love interest…"

Both girls sighed and lowered their heads in defeat. After a heavy silence Hisana finally looked up and softly muttered "Well you know, I should be going now Miss Miyako-"

"Please just Miyako." The woman kindly interjected. Hisana looked at her in surprise. "I really appreciate the fact that you've allowed me to see what kind of man I married." She softly explained.

"Oh..."

This had been a woman who had once unconsciously ignited emotional turmoil in Hisana's heart. Who had caused some extent of envy… but now, now they were both two helpless women really. Helplessly in love with two men who seemed to be unwilling to give them what they wanted. Hisana smiled at the ludicrousness of the situation and closed her eyes for a brief second. She had even attempted to escape Tokyo to escape news of Kaien and this woman's marriage. How strange life was, how strange indeed. In return for her escape she had instead ended up meeting a man whom had grown on her, a man who meant everything in the world to her, a man she really did want to spend her life with… Her escape from Tokyo to evade the humiliation of being jilted had twisted around and opened up a whole new path for her…life really was a curious thing… And all in all she actually had so much to thank Miyako for; without Miyako she really wouldn't have realised she had the capacity to love another man… Oh how amusingly absurd; every single aspect of it.

"Well, Miyako," Hisana warmly smiled at the woman and continued, "Please don't hesitate to call me Hisana either."

Miyako laughed and returned, "Well Hisana we should meet for coffee one day in the future, see how our love interests turned out and everything."

"You know, that sounds like a nice idea, we really should do that."

Both girls warmly shook hands before exchanging a friendly hug. "Please do take care Hisana." Miyako amiably called as she began to move towards the car that was waiting for her beside the pavement. Hisana sadly watched the girl knowing that although she appeared to be emotionally unscathed on the surface, there was still a deep hurt resonating within; no one would have liked to awaken to the fact that the one they were in love with had done something so hurtful. That kind of knowledge was painfully unbearably for any normal human being…

"Yes I will and you too!" Hisana gave her a big wave and forlornly watched as the car was finally driven off. She heaved a small sigh.

All over now… well at least that part was over… She still had to confront Kuchiki Byakuya about her resignation. She closed her eyes then as the sounds of the bustling street, car horns and people began to finally emerge in and around of her awareness. She had been standing before the Love Hotel looking on as the entire commotion unfolded before her eyes. It had been quite a day and as much as she felt somewhat accomplished she still felt the burden of her strained relationship with Byakuya bearing down on her. There was still another demon to face and she was praying to God that he took the resignation lightly… The chances of them continuing an ordinary working relationship was really taking a toll on her emotions and she didn't think she could hold on any more.

Hisana suddenly gasped however when she felt two rough hands instantly grip her shoulders from behind. A small, surprised scream escaped her lips then as she was instantly spun around to confront the unknown assailant who had detained her. Ah, but the moment she perceived those deathly cold grey eyes and that firm unyielding mouth she almost fainted. What in kami-sama's good name was Kuchiki Byakuya doing here?

Oh dear…this was going to be an even longer day…