WOW THIS STORY IS BECOMING A GREAT SUCESS. THANK U ALL 4 READING. YOU'RE REALLY MOTIVATING ME. NOW FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

Hisana's eyes opened lazily. She shifted her weight and snuggled back into the golden covers. She had never felt so contempt in one place. It was like home when she was living. When she'd wake, she'd smell mint tea and her mother's shampoo, that smelled of lavenders. She'd sit up in her bed and stretch and then wash for the day. In her pajamas she'd go down to the kitchen and greet her mother who would be cooking with a look of deep thought. Then Hisana would go into the dinning room and embrace her father from behind and he'd kiss her. And his breath would smell like spearmint and chocolate. It was a cycle that happened daily but a refreshing cycle that made her want to wake up in the morning. Now she looked forward to a new cycle with Byakuya.

Hisana sat up and stretched. She loved the feeling of the sun on her face. She hadn't been so happy in her life. Well, she'd been feeling like that for months now. As she yawned and rubbed her eyes, maids came into her room to dress her and prepare her for the day. Hisana was still confused about noble Lady protocol. For example how there was a morning, afternoon, and evening kimono she had to wear in one day. She thought it was ridiculous. For her morning attire she wore a light green kimono that was adorned with a white obi that had yellow flowers hand-painted on it. She felt fresh and young as she wore it.

Once she was dressed, Lady Kuchiki walked into her room dressed to go out. "Good morning dear. Since you don't have any experience when it comes to being a Lady, I have invited you to the Lady's brunch this morning. It should be very easy for you to fit in. You're a very nice young woman. This is just to show how much training you'll need. Well, dear, would you like to come." Hisana agreed that she needed practice when it came to noble etiquette. This might help her a lot. "Yes. I'd love to come with you." Setsuna clapped her hands together. "Good! We should be leaving now, then."

As they walked to the indoor garden, Hisana tried to mimic the way Lady Setsuna walked. Her shoulders were back stiffly and her chin was tilted up slightly. She tried to glide as she walked and kept her heals from clicking so often. When they had gotten closer to the garden, Hisana could hear faint laughter. Many Ladies were sitting around sipping tea or engaging in conversation. It got very quiet when they saw Hisana. "Ladies," Setsuna started, "This is Lord Kuchiki's intended, Hisana." Some of the younger Ladies whispered to each other. A plump Lady in orange smiled up at Hisana.

"How do you do, honey? I'm Shima Kashioni. It is a pleasure to meet you. Come on! Sit next to me." Hisana blushed and sat next to Shima. She was also next to that blond Lady Akiyo. "So, Byakuya finally hooked one, huh? Well it's about time! Eh, Setsuna?" Lady Kuchiki smiled sweetly and nodded. Shima took a big bite out of a scone. "Now, Hisana, tell us all about yourself."

"Yes, I'm sure your life is simply endearing. What noble house are from again?" Akiyo asked smugly. Hisana was inwardly annoyed. "I am from Inuzuri, not from a noble home." It was silent for a few minutes after that. "Well, I think that's just grand. I mean the greatest Lady in Kuchiki history was from the Rukon district. Lady Kikyo Kuchiki, she was one hell of a woman," Shima admired. Hisana could tell that Shima was the outcast of the group of Ladies, but she liked her.

After a few minutes of chit-chat a man came in and served them a variety of foods. During their meal, another Lady came into the room. "Ah, Lady Sara, so nice of you to join us." Hisana looked up as she heard the name Sara. It was a tall Lady with pretty long brown hair. Hisana knew immediately that it was her mother. Hisana turned her head away so Sara couldn't recognize her. "How is everyone this morning?" Sara asked sipping tea. Shima spoke up. "Oh, we're just gettin' to know Lord Kuchiki's bride-to-be, Hisana."

Sara's eyes widened. "Hisana?" Hisana tried to ignore her. "Hisana is that really you?" Hisana turned and looked into her mother's blue eyes. "Yes. It is me." Sara beamed and put her hands to her heart. "Wait! You two know each other?" Akiyo asked. Sara looked close to tears of joy. "Of course we know each other. Hisana is my daughter!" All of the Ladies gasped and there was a long deadly silence. "Alright Ladies, let us continue our brunch," Lady Setsuna said cheerfully; she broke the silence finally. Hisana ate silently and tried not to look at her mother who sat almost directly across from her.

When the brunch was over, Hisana lingered behind with Setsuna. Lady Kuchiki went over to Hisana and put a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, Hisana dear, I can guess that you and your mother aren't very close." Hisana shook her bowed head. "Well, you and her will see eye to eye eventually. I'll leave you alone for now." Hisana watched her leave and followed a few minutes later. As she was walking out of the garden, she heard someone say her name. It turned out to be lady Akiyo conversing with another young Lady.

"Well, to be honest, I don't find it hard to believe that those two are related. I mean, Sara was a courtesan before she married into the Hetsani family and Hisana used her services to get Byakuya. Why else would he want to marry her? She must have convinced him with seduction. When we danced at the ball, he was so distracted by her whorish appeal, he didn't even look at me. It was disgusting. Hisana will be the downfall of the Kuchiki family and as for Byakuya, I'll be there to pick up the pieces of his broken form. It will be easy to get rid of that wench. I mean she isn't even pretty-"

And it just went on and on until Hisana had walk away to keep from attacking something. She stomped off toward her room and threw herself on her bed. She screamed into her pillow and cried a little. Once she was done whining, she left her room and started for Byakuya's. She need consoling and she knew that Byakuya would help instantly. Once she was there, she knocked on the door softly and it opened slowly. An elderly man looked down at her and smiled friendly.

"You must be Hisana; the bride. I am Taru, one of the Kuchiki Elders. It's very nice to finally meet you." He bent over and kissed Hisana's hands. "Thank you and likewise of course, my Lord." Taru smiled. "Excuse me, is Byakuya- um, sorry, Lord Kuchiki busy at the moment?" she asked. "A few of us are having a small meeting right now. Would you like me to-" Hisana shook her head. "No, please just tell Lord Kuchiki that I need to see him when he isn't busy." Taru smiled and started to close the door. "Of course Lady Hisana."

When Hisana had returned to her room, she drifted into a deep sleep. She dreamt of her life before death and of Rukia. Obviously, Sara didn't know of the horrible thing, Hisana did to her own sister. She had done the same thing their mother did to them. It made Hisana furious, the idea that she had become like her lying, cheating, abandoning mother. Over the years Hisana developed a deep hatred for Sara. For many reasons. Most of which, Hisana herself couldn't even explain.

Hisana awoke to a warm touch on her back. The touch rubbed against her skin gently. As if to wake her. Hisana's eyes opened lazily and she saw Byakuya's form hovering over her. She sat up and reached for his hand. Oddly , his expression wasn't the kind face it usually was. His face was clouded with anger and seriousness. It somewhat scared Hisana since she had never looked so aggressive and hateful. She adverted her eyes.

Byakuya cupped her face and stared deep into her eyes. Hisana felt like crying. She was sure she had done something to upset him. Byakuya then wiped her face. She didn't even notice the tears that had fallen. They sat in silence for a few moments until Byakuya spoke. "My grandmother told me what happened today. I need to know what happened to you, before you met me. Maybe then, I can help." Hisana swallowed and took a breath.

"My mom had been pregnant and it wasn't supposed to be my father' child. My parents divorced when my father found out about that. But then Rukia, my sister, was born and she did belong to my dad. Daddy was supposed to gain custody of her but mom said she wanted us. We argued and before I knew it, I was hit by a bus-"

"How do you remember your time in the World of the Living?" Hisana gave him a confused look. "I just do. Is that odd?" Byakuya shook his head. "Please continue, Hisana," he whispered. "And I was sent here with mom and Rukia. After a few months, my mom abandoned us to become a courtesan. And I took Rukia. A few weeks after, I- I gave up Rukia." Heavy sobs escaped her harshly. "I couldn't support us both and I just left her! I hate my mom for what she did to us, but I'm no better than her."

She collapsed into Byakuya's arms and cried loudly. "You are not like her, Hisana. You did what you did out of love, not greed. You should know that." He made her look at him. "I don't want to see you hurt over someone like that." Hisana nodded and kissed his cheeks. "What were your parents like?" she asked drying her tears. "I don't know." Hisana instantly regretted her question. "I never knew them. My mother was killed on the day I was born and my father died three days after her funeral."

Hisana felt her heart break and all she wanted to do was hold him. She felt that way, but Byakuya looked calm and unmoved about what he had told her. She rubbed his arm to comfort. She was sure he was hurting on the inside, but he didn't want to show it. "Don't you here stories about them?" she asked. Byakuya smiled slightly. "All I heard was that my parents were the greatest leaders of this family. You remind me of her, you know." He stood up and went toward the door. "Goodnight, my love." Hisana smiled at him and waved. She then snuggled back into the bed. It was as if a huge weight was lifted off of her shoulders.