The plot gets a bit thicker, yes? As the captaincy coronation gets closer, more situations are revealed.
Iron Intention
Light cascaded in from the window, causing his eyes to squint uncomfortably as they opened into the morning sun. The brilliant yellow beams filled the rosy sky, red and purples reflecting from the low clouds nestled in the distance.
Mind failing him, he tried vainly to brush the haze away and focus on the upcoming day's training as he had for weeks; school with Hitoshi, battle practice with his father since the man had insisted trying to coax Senbonzakura from its sealed state. Maybe he would be able to write a letter to Hisana to inform her of his current situation…
Wait. Where was he?
His eyes flashed open as his eyes scanned the room. Not his quarters. Flailing at his senses, he picked off each attribute and what information it had to offer instantaneously:
There were some strange noises coming from…a downstairs area: Also, a sharp breathing sound at his side.
An odor of food cooking entered his waking state.
Somehow he was disrobed.
His mind filling him in on the details upon awakening itself, he realized that he never left the tea house. Hisana was still by his side, though she appeared to be arousing as well, her shallow breaths indicating so.
Byakuya had never experienced waking without constant knowledge of the environment around him, his mind never stopping the continuous cycle of keeping tabs, even as he slept. For the first time, he was caught completely off guard by the new surroundings, as though his mind was fully at rest while he was asleep. Surprisingly for the amount of sleep given, he felt better rested than he had…well, ever.
Realizing that he had shot upright in alert of his surroundings, his muscles began to relax again, Byakuya letting his heart rate return to normal pace. Then the next realization was struck.
What time was it?
Eyes widening at the implication, he searched the room for a clock, then vainly tried to discern the time from the sunrise. Early, but he wasn't sure the exact hour.
"Hmm?" came a small sound from below him. It was so appealing in nature that Byakuya was tempted to press back into the sheets. Gazing on the dark haired beauty beside him, everything in his heart gave out.
Beautiful wasn't a word that could describe her, it lacked in all refined dignity of the mere sight of her. The thought upturned his thin lips in a genuine smile.
Azure pools rested on the sculpted body, then turned upward to the dark thoughtful ones.
"You stayed."
Any resolve to go to class or anything else went out the window. Byakuya had to ensure that last night was true and his mind hadn't dreamt the whole thing up. Certainly waking up beside her was enough, but it begged the real of her skin on his own.
Lips parted as he sent his tongue to explore her taste. Sweetness of sleep still clung to her breath as she exhaled into his mouth, savoring the velvety texture of tongue. His hand absentmindedly ran along the length of her body, resting at the curve of her hip. Her body trembled at his touch, returning with her own hands against his chest.
Emotions welled in Byakuya's eyes, a feat not so easily accomplished as masking them; he wanted her to see what he was feeling, he never wanted to hide that from her. Carefully his reiatsu unfolded itself behind the barrier he created.
There was silence again as she took in the menagerie of feelings Byakuya kept locked away.
A whisper regretted breaking the silence, but affirmed its existence with the weight of words.
"I love you. Hisana."
Academy and training went smoothly for the remaining days. Though Senbonzakura remained sealed, that was the only unfortunate downfall.
Byakuya noticeably seen less and less of one Ichimaru Gin. Apparently Aizen Taicho had taken a peculiar liking to the new academy recruit, and after a few weeks of zanpakuto training promoted him to lieutenant status of his own fifth squad. That student also seemed to be one of the quickest to release and maintain a shikai form, though Byakuya personally had not witnessed it. Ukitake stated that it was through Aizen's training that the student mastered that ability so quickly, hence his reason for having regularly scheduled visits from each of the thirteen captains during class.
Maybe the boisterous student would learn other traits from the fifth squad captain as well; Aizen appeared to be respectful of the other members in Gotei Thirteen. The informal way of referring to others as 'kun' and 'chan' had a grating effect on the Kuchiki noble.
Today, however, was the last meeting with Kuchiki Taicho before the Captaincy ceremony. It would be held in a matter of days.
Hoping that he would have the chance to talk about marriage arrangements with the elder man, Byakuya hid any nervousness or insecurities, though they continuously ate at his stomach.
After the third and last unsuccessful attempt to call Senbonzakura from slumber, the two Kuchiki nobles moved sit down at an elaborately decorated bench. The location of this meeting was in the Kuchiki's own training hall, reserved for only the regal residents of the household. Even then it was rare that anyone in the clan would use it.
"Kuchiki Byakuya." The sudden formal tone drew Byakuya's mind out from the depths of his musings and straight onto the face of the captain.
Slowly the elder's hands rose, unwrapping the pale scarf ever-present in the elder captains' wardrobe. Byakuya had seen it time and time before, denoting it as an item of significant value and importance. Age of the silken material was not known to him, though he never recalled seeing the captain without it – the object had some historical value.
"This is the Kuchiki family heirloom." He elaborated, still twisting the cloth from around his neck. "My father owned it, as well as his father before him. This scarf has seen five centuries of Kuchiki nobility, making it one of the oldest possessions in our clan."
The cloth draped over his lap, folding neatly on itself as the remainder came off of his shoulders and into a neat pile. "This scarf signifies our nobility – it was handmade by the greatest master weaver in Soul Society, from the very flowers of our garden. It is by far our greatest treasure."
Byakuya gazed upon the silken material. One would think its delicate nature would deem it fragile because of its thin composition, but its integrity over the years countered that argument. Not even a stain existed on the fabric, a slight luster glinting on the surface.
"His cloth is a testament to our resiliency as a clan. Wear it well, Kuchiki Byakuya." With that, the captain moved closer, ceremoniously wrapping it around his son's shoulders in the proper way. "Never let this touch the ground."
"The induction is not for a few days; why would you give me this now?" curiosity bit at him.
The older Kuchiki gentleman placed his hands on his shoulders. "You have proven to me more than enough that you are your own man, now. I believe that your decisions have got you this far, and all of it has been on your own. I could have never asked for a better son."
The sudden improper tone caught Byakuya off guard. What was the captain saying? Why did this conversation seem to be weighing more than should be merited?
A glance at his father indicated a smile on his face. Byakuya could detect reiatsu from the man, unbound and flowing to him. The feeling appalled him and fascinated him at the same time.
"I am dying." Came the short, dull phrase. In any other connotation Byakuya would be the least bit surprised. Coming from the man of stone, the immovable unrelenting man, it was horrible. An excruciating pain shot through his mind at the thought of death claiming the strongest man he had ever known.
The reiatsu from the man confirmed the statement. It was more than unbearable.
"Explain." Byakuya said, teeth almost clenched despite himself.
"Nothing out of the ordinary; it's just my time." The taicho seemed older then, as if letting Byakuya see his frailty.
He couldn't stand it. Conflicting feelings pressed against his temples: His father, a static character in his upbringing, talking of his own death. Byakuya should show little concern for one who never was around – but still, this man had always embodied the epitome of strength and endurance, very admirable traits to Byakuya.
Kuchiki Taicho, sixth division captain, twenty seventh head of Kuchiki clan, did not just die.
"That is why you will be assuming your role of elder so soon, though I made best accommodations for you in such short amount of time."
Byakuya was almost fuming inside; how could the captain so calmly admit that he would die and turn the Kuchiki house over to him? It was ludicrous!
"I refuse to believe this." Byakuya calmly stated, though his gut burned with anger.
"Believe what you will then." The tone snapped into place as the tone Byakuya knew so well. "The induction ceremony will be my last moment as captain; fourth and twelfth division deemed that my last capable night."
Taken aback by the turn he stared at the older man. Fourth and twelfth?
Producing a small bottle from his kimono, the captain emptied the contents into his hand. Small white pills fell out individually, Byakuya noticing the sixth division crest in black print on the round orbs.
"These are the pills I've been using to sustain myself for the past month. As you see, I have three left." Promptly the captain swallowed one down dry. "Twelfth division created these per my request, so that I may have the time to train you."
Byakuya swallowed hard. This whole time, his father had been looking out for the clan's greater good. Unknown to Byakuya, he was also looking out for his son's.
"I am proud of the man you have grown to be. I will be proud of the captain you will become." The taicho's eyes softened considerably, wrapping Byakuya in a wave of denial and guilt.
"Arigato…otōsan."
Byakuya stiffened at first against the strong arm that encircled him and slapped him on the back. Before he could consider reciprocating, the captain had moved away.
"Be prepared for the ceremony; I will not be easily defeated." The iron clad man announced. The wall of reiatsu blocked his path as solidly as ever.
As he watched the man glide swiftly away, Byakuya was pelted with things that he wanted to say, feelings that he wanted to express. In all of the time he knew him, this conversation had opened pathways he needed to explore. Two days was not enough to get his mind together.
"You really shouldn't be so uptight, Byakuya." Hitoshi stated. "You're so pent up it's scary!"
Being with Hitoshi during class was amusing to say the least; more and more, the boy had opened up to the Kuchiki noble, often saying very interesting and openly honest opinions about everything.
"What do you say, Byakuya, you and me – we'll change the face of Soul Society in no time! We'll both be captains, right? I want to lead second district, and you can be sixth. Then we'll really turn some heads!" Hitoshi wrapped an arm around the stiff Shinigami, who tried to maintain a dignified pose.
"As you wish…taicho," Byakuya stated.
After a moment, Hitoshi realized that Byakuya seemed to be toying around. "Wha-! Hey!"
Byakuya was not the type to associate on a friendly level with anyone. Still this relationship was probably the most easy going that he'd ever concocted, reminding him of Hisana's. Despite all that, Byakuya somewhere did care for the student, though he could never be wholly aware of it.
"Did you hear?"
Byakuya didn't answer, but his attention shifted toward his classmate.
"I heard Ukitake Taicho talking about it with Aizen Taicho. Third District lost their captain."
Not much for eavesdropping, the news had caught him unaware.
"Supposedly it happened within the past few hours. A routine hollow investigation did him in. I feel bad for the squad – I can't imagine what they're going through."
Byakuya pondered. Two new captains would be making their debut in the Gotei Thirteen at the same time.
"I wonder who they have picked out for the captain. It has to be that Ikasen guy – isn't he the lieutenant?"
Byakuya knew better than that. Rarely was the vice captain appointed to such a major role as a successor. Usually the new captain would be selected by Yamamoto himself, then the taicho would select their own fukutaicho. That was common procedure.
"Maybe I'll put up my name for Third – that squad seems pretty good." Hitoshi smiled, poking the Kuchiki in his ribs. Used to the prodding, Byakuya didn't flinch.
There was no doubt that Nakata Hitoshi was training harder since their time together began; Byakuya noticed that the boy's attitude toward becoming a full fledged shinigami had amplified. To see the student working so hard was indeed inspiring. Honesty, integrity, hard working – Hitoshi contained endearing qualities that he would find exemplary in a new captain: Much more than some of the hopeful recruits striving for the newly opened role.
Still, the organized meeting of Seireitei to discuss motions for filling the role properly was beyond him; he had no say in those discussions. Surely the Soul Society doctrine was best for handling proper procedure, therefore better suited to appoint a new shinigami.
Byakuya frowned at the idea of his upcoming duel with Kuchiki Taicho. If that were the case, why did he have to go through with this ridiculous fight with his father?
"What are you thinking?" Hitoshi poked him again. "You're always stuck in self reflection mode."
Byakuya grudgingly answered. "My own captaincy induction."
Hitoshi smiled against his rather unpleasant expression. "Man, you don't know how lucky you have it, do you? Sixth division is going to be yours; you have a fair shot and no one can take that away from you. It's not like the rest of us – I fight and train, and what will I make? Third or fourth seat, possibly lieutenant if I work my ass off."
Byakuya blinked. Maybe he had overlooked the fact that his role as Kuchiki elder made captaincy much more attainable; perhaps dwelling on it seemed unmerited.
"Arigato, Hitoshi. That was – enlightening."
"Don't worry about it, Kuchiki-san. " That ever present grin sparkled in his eyes. "I have faith in you."
AN: This was originally longer, but it seemed better as two parts. I'll post the next soon, okay?