Hisana laughed, looking up at the fukutaichou of the sixth squad. They were in the Kuchiki garden, with Renji in a tree and Hisana lying down on the ground. Byakuya was running late, and Renji was ordered to tell her that. Of course, Hisana had insisted that Renji stay with her for a bit so here they were.
What had made Hisana laugh was Renji's question – How is it to live with Kuchiki-taichou? I mean, he's like a stone wall. She had to think a moment for her reply.
"Well, it's not all 'let's go out and party' but it's not that bad either. No one would know this – so I'm going to share top secret news of Kuchiki Byakuya – he's actually nice to me." Hisana laughed and Renji chuckled.
"For someone who's married to him, you're pretty relaxed," he said, watching her. She grinned up at him.
"I have to be. Otherwise it'd be impossible to be around both of us."
"How did you two meet, anyway?"
Hisana smiled. "It's a long story."
"I have time."
"I abandoned Rukia, for obvious reasons. When I went to Inuzuri, my health was already ailing, causing my reiatsu to leak out more and more. I met a Shinigami in there, and he felt my reiatsu and talked to me about it. He told me to join the academy, which I did without a second thought. It couldn't be any worse than Inuzuri, could it?
"I was placed in the advanced division, and I graduated like a regular student there. I got placed into Sixth Squad, which Byakuya-sama was currently third seat of. We met every now and then, and then the fukutaichou of the squad got killed in a battle. Byakuya-sama was promoted, and we had brief contact through there. He began to talk to me more and more, little by little.
"I don't remember it exactly, but he started to take me on long strolls and we held hands. It's like a human drama. I didn't say a single word of my sickness – I still have yet to figure out what it was. He asked me to marry him, and I realized that he was going against everything he and his family stood for by just asking. I couldn't refuse, so I agreed.
"Our wedding was beautiful. It was beyond those of a normal one. All his relatives were there, and you know he has a lot. They looked at me as if I was dirt, but I didn't care. It was my wedding day, and nothing could destroy it. We got married, and then he became captain. My health degraded fast and we thought I was going to die."
"Unohana-taichou forced me into a hospital, and for five years I stayed there. Byakuya-sama made arrangements for me to go to the country, and I left Seireitei. Then his cousin asked me to visit. I couldn't refuse. And then, I came back."
"Kuchiki-taichou seems depressed each time someone brings up a family…Do you know why?"
Hisana shrugged and shook her head slightly, although she knew that Renji could probably figure out that something she knew did affect the way her husband acted.
"I don't know."
Renji was silent and Hisana was too. Renji brought up the next subject. "Have you ever thought of achieving bankai?"
Hisana's eyes went wide. "I never really tried or thought about it. It'd be great, but I don't know if I can do it. Seishuku Harou, it's sort of hard to talk to him at all."
"I think you should try to achieve bankai – even if it doesn't work. I mean, don't try to rush it, and just try to get Seishuku Harou to materialize, even if he won't. It's worth a try, isn't it?"
Hisana shrugged slightly, before nodding. "I guess so, Abarai-fukutaichou." He smiled; glad he at least made her consider the chance of trying to achieve bankai.
"Oh, shit!" Renji said, getting down from the tree. "I have to go, my apologizes, Hisana-san." With that, he was gone. Hisana sighed, and decided to go inside. She made a beeline for the kitchen and announced that she wanted to cook.
The cook shook her head. "Of course not, Hisana-sama – Kuchiki-sama would be mad if you cooked for him. It's my job," she insisted, keeping everything away from Hisana. Hisana sighed, before walking dejectedly back out into the room, looking up as her husband entered.
"How was your day, Hisana?" he asked, smiling at her. She grinned, before walking over to him. She undid his captain haori, and took Senbonzakura, putting it in his bedroom. He had always let her do this, with a little amount of protesting, but after the day he had, he was glad to have her take care of things, and be able to sit down and relax.
"It was acceptable," she said, instantly becoming more serious. She had just remembered what tomorrow was. It was Rukia's execution. During the last few days it had been hectic – Zaraki Kenpachi was defeated by a ryoka, Abarai Renji had been defeated by the same ryoka, Kurosaki Ichigo, and they were still trying to figure out Aizen's murderer. During this time, Byakuya had been busy and Hisana had been keeping out of the way.
"You're not coming with me tomorrow," Byakuya stated, referring to the fact that he was going to attend Rukia's execution. Hisana looked up, her mouth open wide and her mind struggling to grasp words that would put the unfairness she felt into coherent words. "I will not allow you to see your own sister die, after you have searched endlessly for her."
"Byakuya-sama, I want to go," she protested, biting her lip slightly as she watched him tense up. He would remain stubborn on this, just as Hisana would remain stubborn on her point of view too. Rukia was her sister, wasn't she? Wasn't it fair for her to bid her sister goodbye, especially after the little time she had with her?
"Hisana, I don't want you to see that. You will not have the last image of your sister being one of her dying. I refuse to allow it, no matter what the reason or who you are." He would listen to her cry because of the last image of Rukia in her mind. It would be better for both parties, wouldn't it? Rukia would die in somewhat peace and Hisana was able to know Byakuya did all he could do for her.
Hisana kept her eyes lowered and nodded. "Shall we have dinner?" she asked, and was glad when he nodded. As they sat, Hisana kept her eyes down on the plate and Byakuya just ate his meal. No one said a word. Despite the fact Hisana knew his reasons for not letting her go, she wouldn't just let it pass. Her sister, whom she had searched for so long, was going to die. It didn't seem fair, but Hisana would keep her composure. At least until she was in private.
"I'm going to retire to bed," she announced, standing up. She walked over to where Byakuya was, placing a soft kiss on his lips. He kissed her forehead, before running his hands through his hair. Hisana's bright blue eyes watched him and he sighed, nodding.
"Goodnight, Hisana. I'll wake before I get up tomorrow. You will attend all of your normal duties. For you, tomorrow is just another ordinary day," he said. She nodded, walking to the doorway. She smiled slightly back at him.
"Goodnight, Byakuya-sama."
She walked swiftly to her room where a servant helped her dress for bed. She waited until she dismissed her servant before letting the tears stream down her cheeks. If she cried tonight, hopefully, no tears would be wasted on tomorrow.
Eventually, Hisana cried herself to sleep. She soothed herself, trying to reason that it was the right thing, even if she knew Rukia was in a sense, innocent. She would not dwell on it tomorrow.
A/N: Ooo, getting the exciting part. Thanks to my lovely betas, CherryIzzy and Shanny. Thanks for all reviews and I know it's been a month since I've updated, but I got busy and I also had a severe case of writers block. Sorry for all those who were following and I just suddenly died. I'll try to update more frequently now.
Beta's note: YO. IT BE I, THE MAGNIFICENT IZZY, HIJACKING THIS CHAPTER! Y'all better be giving good reviews to my precious Kri, or I'll stalk you until you do. –smile- that is all!