I'm back! School is over for the rest of the year, so I finally have the time to post the long awaited chapter 16.
First, I want to apologize to all of you for taking so long to post this latest installment. I know I said "one week hiatus" and here we are, almost a month later. I'm so sorry, but I had a really busy last couple of weeks in school. Second, contest winners: I have your drabbles. I'll be posting them soon, before the end of the weekend.
Considering it's been so long, no ranting on my part. Quick disclaimer and that's it. Hope this chapter makes up fpr the long absence.
Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen, but I own nothing.
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I found comfort in my return to usual duties, although they would be exhausting, considering the little rest I've gotten lately.
Once I arrived at the office, after leaving my wife's shrine, I noticed the wreck my office had turned into, after being absent from work for only a day.
Piles of paperwork all over the desk in no particular order, this being the clearest sign of my absence as I am not one to work in an untidy fashion.
On top of one said pile laid a report. Considering unlikely that I would receive any other, I assumed it was Hitsugaya-taicho's report on the situation that ensued yesterday. I quickly browsed through it, looking for any information that was unknown to me.
I signed the report and set myself the task of organizing my desk before leaving the office. I figured this would be helpful come afternoon, considering the extent of the work load ahead of me.
I promised Rukia I would join her for lunch, and I had every intention of attending. However, even when lunch was a few hours away, there was something I had to do before meeting my sister.
All things considered, the paperwork would have to wait.
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There was no one guarding her office upon my arrival, which led me to believe she wasn't there. However, I decided it was best to check.
I did what is most uncharacteristic of me and marched in, disregarding the fact that it's not only her office, but Hitsugaya-taicho's as well.
I glanced over to her desk, and to my surprise, she was there, working her way through the stacks of paperwork that must had accumulated during her time in the real world. Her concentration was such that she didn't notice my presence.
I was pleasantly surprised by her work ethic, considering that less than a day ago she was at the verge of death, so it would have been acceptable for her to take a day off.
"Hello, Rangiku." I called, feeling slightly guilty for pulling her from her work.
"Hi, Byakuya." She answered, without prying her eyes from the desk.
It took her a moment to realize what she said. Her brushings stopped, turning to look up at me.
"Byakuya," she said, surprised, pausing for a moment to consider her answer, "What are you doing here?"
"I owe you a conversation."
"Well, that's right," she said, leaving her desk, "Have a seat in the couch if you like." She beckoned.
I noticed my presence had surprised her, which led me to believe my visit was unexpected, regardless of our earlier compromise.
"You didn't think I would come, am I correct?" I asked, seating on the couch, across from her.
"And what exactly makes you think I didn't, Byakuya?"
"You're surprised. If you were expecting me…"
"You're right," Rangiku interrupted, "I did not expect you to come at all." She answered bluntly.
I was saddened by her lack of trust, but I suppose I deserved it after all that has happened. Perhaps this conversation could help.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself?" She asked, arms crossed.
"Excuse me?"
"You must have something to say if you came here, don't you?" She pressed, cocking an eyebrow.
"I do, but I would like you to commence." I replied, aware of her growing frustration.
"And why should I, Byakuya?"
"It is appropriate that you do."
"So this is about manners?" She asked, arms still crossed.
It was clear that my request was not one she would be willing to consider. "No, Rangiku." I answered.
I noticed how her eyes were slowly boiling with rage, which prompted me to consider I would need some extra patience if I wanted to keep our conversation from degenerating.
"I won't give you the pleasure, Byakuya."
"Would you at least listen to my reasons?" I pressed. It was important to me that she did.
"I don't need to hear them, Byakuya. I know your reasons." She snorted, trying her best to hold back her frustration.
"Which are my reasons then?"
"You want me to start because then this conversation will be easier for you. I failed to see the difference between us having this conversation now instead of this morning, as I requested, but it's all very clear now, Byakuya," She stated scathingly, leaping from her seat to point at me, "You wanted a plan. Something to fall back on. I caught you off guard this morning, so you invented an excuse to buy yourself some time."
"I'm afraid I don't understand you, Rangiku. I was under the impression that you wanted to talk, not put me on trial." I remarked, slightly aggravated by her stubbornness. It seemed as if patience had failed me.
"That doesn't matter, Byakuya. After all, you would still try to mold your words after mine," She insisted, "I suggest you say what you want to say. What you're here to say. That is, of course, if you have something to say, Byakuya. If you're here just to humor me, then we can spare each other the trouble."
"Very well," I answered, taking a deep breath as I hoped for patience once more, considering her attitude was becoming frustrating, "Rangiku, I was hoping you would start because I'm sure there is much you need to say. Including many unkind, unflattering comments about me."
She flopped onto the couch, and by the look on her face, she was clearly upset, forbidding herself from looking in my direction.
"Rangiku, I want you to talk first not because I want or need to mold my words after yours or because I'm humoring you. I asked because I want you to listen to me when my turn to speak comes, instead of simply hearing what I have to say and dismissing it after."
Her eyes widened once more, although this time it was caused by something different than rage.
"In order for you to listen, you must let go of all of it, so I am allowing you the time to vent."
I could almost see the moment in which she decided to take the opportunity I had presented and, as her friend mentioned the night before, lash out at me. However, I noticed a hint of common sense hit her eyes, although it was frustratingly faint.
"You're allowing me?" Rangiku snorted, appalled "No. You don't allow me anything, Byakuya. Let me be clear on that!"
She left her seat and started pacing through the room, clearly vexed. I was disappointed by the reaction, although I understood it was necessary for her to act in whichever way she felt in order for our conversation to progress.
"You're so frustrating, Byakuya! So, you better listen to me, and listen good. If I yell, is because I want to. If I call you names, or say anything about you, it's because that was my choice, not yours. You are not allowing me anything."
I shifted in my seat, trying my best not to let her comments aggravate me. "Is that…"
"Oh no, Byakuya, I'm just getting started," She stated sharply, "and don't you dare get up! If you do, I'll use kido on you."
"That's unnecessary, Rangiku. I won't leave." I remarked, considering it necessary that I did.
She snorted yet again. "You… You are making it impossible for me to think, Byakuya! I... I can't wrap my head around this. I mean, can you?" She hissed, still vexed.
"I-I can't… I," She stuttered. It seemed as if her brain had shut down from the overload thoughts running through her mind.
"What is this, Byakuya?" She asked, dropping herself onto the couch, clearly frustrated.
I had no clues as to how she could react, but I still left my seat and approached her, sitting next to her. It was a dangerous bet to make, but regardless of this I couldn't help myself from trying to comfort her.
As I sat closer to her, I realized she was not annoyed by my action, thus leading me to believe that what I came to say could be comforting for her to hear. However, I decided to give her a moment to gather her thoughts.
"Do you even want to know, Byakuya?" She asked, with her face buried in her hands. The question was so simple, I almost missed it.
I sensed it was my turn to speak now, hoping I was not too early in my assumption. She had so many questions, and it seemed as all she wanted then was answers.
"Rangiku," I called, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I don't know what this is either. I don't have answers to most of your questions, but…"
I gently grabbed her wrists, hoping I could compel her to rid her face from the hold of her hands.
"Rangiku, I do want to know what this is."
She turned to look at me, confusion playing in her eyes.
"I don't know what else to say. Just know that I understand your confusion."
I turned from her, releasing her wrists. It seemed as if both of us were riddled with questions, clearly disconcerted, but there were no answers to be found. She tried to speak, but nothing came from her, just a soft gasp at my response.
"Byakuya, what did you do this morning? After we met?" She asked shyly.
I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't. However, my troubled expression must have hinted something to her.
She moved in closer to me, grabbing my hand. Our silence spoke volumes, and I was sure she could hear it just as well as I did.
"Why do you ask?" I replied, opting to dodge her question.
"No reason. It's just that I'm sure this conversation wouldn't have led us here this morning." She answered, gently playing with my hand.
She was right. If I had not found my resolve this morning, visiting my wife's shrine, our conversation would have surely degenerated. I realized I couldn't live with the question that burned holes in my mind. If I didn't try, I would be adding yet another regret to the seemingly never ending list.
"I have no other means to discover if this could work aside from asking…" I said, my voice quiet in the heavy atmosphere.
"Asking what, Byakuya?" She whispered, laying her head on my shoulder, her arms now holding my arm captive.
"Rangiku, I…" I blurted, distracted by her reactions.
"I want us to give this a try, Byakuya. I don't know what you have to say to that, but…"
"That's what I came here to say." I interrupted, shyly answering her question.
She laughed, seemingly unable to stop. Her reaction left me both stunned and calm.
"You're laughing." I remarked, taken aback by her demeanor. Was she mocking my answer?
"I'm sorry, Byakuya." She replied, the laughter still present in her voice. She sluggishly tried to stop, slowly regaining her composure. "I'm so sorry. It's just that it's too overwhelming to hear you say that. I… I didn't know how else to react."
"You may be right, Rangiku."
For a moment it seemed as if her laughter would be enough to thin out the ambiance, but I knew the moment would be brief.
"So, how do we go about this, Byakuya? Any thoughts?" She asked.
I found it amusing she should ask for my thoughts, as it appeared to be hundreds swirling through my mind.
"I suppose we would have to know each other." I replied awkwardly. My usual stoic composure was broken by all that had happened.
She chuckled once more. I was disillusioned by the fact that I seemed to be feeding her jokes so effortlessly, when my words held the earnest of intentions behind them.
"You're cute even when you're awkward." She answered, her face lighting up after her response.
I didn't feel flushed or heated in any way, so I was confident my expression had not changed. She, however, appeared to be the expert at reading me, if only through the things I said.
"Rangiku, there's something I have yet to mention," I said, trying my best to be graceful as this wouldn't be easy for me to express, "We shouldn't…"
"I know." She answered. I briefly considered the notion that she could read my mind, as she appeared to know when to stop me in mid-sentence.
"What do you know, Rangiku?"
"You don't want others to find out about us. I'm sure you have a very delicate and thought-out reason for this, but in the end, you just don't want others interfering in your personal issues," She said, leaning back on the couch, hands behind her head, "Am I right, Byakuya?"
"And that doesn't disturb you?" I asked, startled by the fact that she had accurately pointed to the source of my concerns.
"I guess I should be bothered, but I'm not. I suppose I agree it is best we keep this to ourselves, at least for the time being. Scrutiny could only make things harder, and they're not that easy to begin with."
I sighed, relieved by her understanding. Perhaps I had not given her enough credit to believe she could unravel this on her own.
"So, dinner then?" She asked, smirking in my direction, confident she knew my answer to her question.
"I'm otherwise engaged tonight, Rangiku. I apologize."
"What?" She retorted, puzzled by the response "Get out of it, Byakuya. It can't be too important when I know it's not Seireitei business."
I left the couch, sensing our conversation was reaching its end. "It is not Seireitei business as you point out, but it is important. I can't cancel my commitment. I wish not to burden you with it, so please don't ask."
"Let's have lunch then. You can't tell me you are 'otherwise engaged' now, are you?"
"I'm having lunch with Rukia."
She huffed, frustrated by my answers. "You're not going to start running again, are you?"
"I never ran in the first place. Also, if I had planned on running, why would I have bothered to come here?"
"You tell me, Byakuya. Is not like I have any means to know if you are being honest or not."
"I'm afraid I must ask you to be patient, Rangiku. I understand that it might be frustrating to be in this position, but I can assure you, I did not come here to make void promises."
I walked over to her, resisting the urge to do more than stand before her.
"Tomorrow night, Rangiku. We can have dinner then… if you're available, of course."
She moved in closer to me, brushing her fingers up the sleeve of my shihakusho, stopping once they reached my scarf.
"Tomorrow night. Dinner, at my place. I won't cook though, I would rather keep you from it. Be there at eight," She moved in even closer, reaching up to kiss me, "don't be late." she whispered, as her cheek glided against mine.
She released me from her hold which, I had to admit, was a relief. I don't believe I would have done the same in her situation.
"Say hi to Rukia for me." She asked, granting me permission to leave.
"I will. I'll be looking forward to our meeting, Rangiku." I said, turning in the direction of the door.
"Byakuya," She called, compelling me to turn around and meet her gaze, "is there anyway I can convince you to leave the kenseikan home tomorrow night? It really is a bitch to remove it." She said, smirking.
I chuckled as I walked towards the door. Her commentary had taken me back to the previous night, and the awkward moment that ensued before I disposed of it.
"I'll consider it." I replied, sliding the door open to leave, chuckling under my breath.
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After meeting Rukia for lunch, I returned to the office to face an afternoon of work, consequence of being absent from my duties to handle my personal affairs.
By the time I left the office, my energies were scarce. It was to be expected, considering I've spent nearly two days sleep deprived. After I abandoned Rangiku's residence last night, a few hours past midnight, I returned to Rukia's room to guard her bed, and was only able to conquer sleep right before dawn. Also, sleeping on a chair is not the most effective way to replenish strengths after a hectic day.
Regardless, I still had duties to attend to. A clan meeting was scheduled for tonight, so I returned to the manor to take a quick bath before heading towards the assembly hall.
I was confident all elders were present by the time I arrived, so I wasted no time and commenced the meeting. Today, of all days, I was in no mood to hear their thoughtless arguments and hypocrite pleasantries, so I was eager to begin.
"I assume everyone is here, so we shall begin," I announced, making my way through the elders in the room before reaching my seat, "Does any of you have any matters in need of discussion?"
"Byakuya-sama, I think it's important we discuss the matter of Kuchiki Rukia's injuries," Kuchiki Takeo called out from amongst the elders, "I feel the other members of our prestigious clan would agree in regarding this as a serious matter."
I was beyond aggravation after hearing the man's request. I assumed the matter of Rukia's injuries would be brought out eventually during the meeting, but I did not expect it to become the main focus of discussion.
Nonetheless, I understood that it was best to consent to Kuchiki Takeo's request and open the subject for discussion. At least by doing so I could hold some control over what was said. Censoring the elders can't bring any favorable consequences, considering they would only find other settings in which they can speak ill of Rukia, thus not allowing me to protect her from any harm they could provoke.
I learned a long time ago that, in dealing with the clan, politics were not only important, but necessary. I had been forced to sit through these meetings from a young age, and having borne witness to the various ways the elders used politics to achieve their goals, an in-depth study of the matters of diplomacy would be useful once I was put in the position of dealing with the clan.
"You may continue, Takeo-san." I replied, concealing the anger his ludicrous request had brought upon me.
"Thank you, Byakuya-sama," The man said, nodding in my direction, "As you know, Kuchiki Rukia was injured yesterday. This marks yet another time her actions have tainted the Kuchiki name. We must bear in mind this is not the first time she has been injured after failing to follow orders given by a superior officer."
"Takeo-san, Kuchiki Rukia is a shinigami and part of the Gotei Juusantai. She is exposed to many dangers while fulfilling her duties, as any other shinigami is, myself included."
"I agree, Byakuya-sama. But I don't seek discussion on the occupational risks of the shinigami, but rather the responsibility that is placed on them to commit to their duty and respect rules and regulations, for example, hierarchy."
"Takeo-san, please explain how this is a matter the clan must look into. It appears to me you are merely using my sister's absence as an opportunity to berate me on her choices." I replied, resorting to the best version of diplomacy known to me.
"Byakuya-sama, we must keep in mind that Kuchiki Rukia is not even ranked in her division, and yet, she has managed to find herself in the midst of danger far more often than other higher ranks, and this is only a product of her apparent inability to follow orders. Let us remember this is not the first time she does this, and we can't allow her blatant disregard for rules and duty to continue. It reflects poorly on us."
"Regardless of this, Takeo-san, how is this of any importance to the clan? If she has committed any kind of fault, then it will be the Gotei Juusantai who will take action."
"I understand, Byakuya-sama, but I think we should consider the idea of retiring Kuchiki Rukia from the Gotei Juusantai before she does something worthy of punishment, considering this would bring shame upon the honorable Kuchiki name."
I remained emotionless in my seat. However, I turned my eyes in Kuchiki Takeo's direction, inspecting his expression. If I had not been breed to deal with these kinds of situations, my actions would have been completely different. The man had a smug look on his face, denoting his confidence in achieving a goal that was yet unknown to me, and it disgusted me.
I decided to inquire, hoping I would reach important information. "Takeo-san, Rukia won't concede to your suggestion, and even if she did, you are yet to present any evidence that could compel me to accept her resignation if she does."
"I understand what you say, Byakuya-sama, but we can't allow her to tarnish the Kuchiki name anymore. She is not strong enough to be in the Gotei Juusantai, and I don't believe her rank will change any time soon, and, in all likelihood, episodes like this will occur in the future, which is why we must act promptly. Also, she impairs your capability to commit to your duties."
I was unpleasantly surprised by the man's bravery in bringing to surface these delicate subjects. His ignorance had reached a point in which all he left for me to do was to find a subtle way to impede the subject of my sister from being brought up again.
"Takeo-san, this subject will not be held for discussion anymore. If Kuchiki Rukia is not fit to perform her tasks inside the Gotei Juusantai, then they will be the ones making the decision to relieve her from her duties, not the clan. In regards to what you mentioned about her impairing my capabilities, then I must ask you to take back your suggestion," I replied, my voice steady and calm as I watched the man's expression change from smug to concern, "my work is not at trial in this meeting, nor my capacity to fulfill my duties, which I must add, has not been impaired as you pointed."
I briefly glanced at the other elders. They were the archetype of nobility, emotionless and cold, except for the look in their eyes, which I had become an expert in deciphering after years of shady, unsuccessful plots.
"Byakuya-sama, we are only looking out for the well being of our revered leader," Kuchiki Takeo said, exerting further pressure through the void character of his words, which were meant to appeal to my common sense regardless of him knowing his attempts would be fruitless, "I apologize."
I secretly disregarded Takeo's apology. He is nothing but a pawn for the elders, as he is not as old as most of them. However, I would be a fool to disregard his participation in tonight's meeting. It's obvious that he plays a bigger part in whatever the elders were hoping to achieve tonight.
I was not surprised they had taken the opportunity to bash Rukia's actions considering her absence, but their commentaries concerning me were unexpected. This made it apparent that there was something the elders were hiding from me, and I would have to make an effort to discover it, especially considering the humble disposition some of them carried tonight.
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After hearing the rest of the elders' arguments and discussions, which were bland and pointless, I retreated to my quarters, hoping I could finally get some rest after two days of emotional whirlwind.
I prepared for bed, changing into my sleeping outfit and removing the kenseikan.
I rested on the bed, hoping for sleep. I closed my eyes, my heavy lids giving up on the idea of alertness.
The moment light stopped coming through my eyes, I saw the image; the one that's haunted me so many nights before.
I wrestled with the urge to wake, fighting for my sleep as I always did after meetings, but my efforts were wretched. I rose from bed, panting heavily.
I had hoped my visit to Hisana's shrine had been sufficient to relief my guilty mind, but it seems the elders brought back the darkest side of my being.
"Not another night." I whispered; my frustration coming through my words.
I didn't bother trying to regain sleep, as years of sleepless nights had taught me that my efforts would be fruitless if I tried. This discouraged me to no end.
I was confident that the choices I had made today would be enough to grant me rest, but it seems I was a fool to believe that. Even after leaving my wife's shrine, I did not feel the weight of guilt pressing on my shoulders as I always had before today, so I had expected things to be different tonight.
I considered the idea that I was wrong, and it was not Hisana who had the capacity to ease my mind. Regarding this, I decided it was best I gambled with my options.
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I stood before her door, briefly thinking of how similar this scenario was compared to that of last night's.
I was once again considering the implications that knocking on her door could bring, until, just like last night, I decided to knock before I lost my courage.
I heard some racket coming from the other side, which led me to believe she was not awake. If this was true, then our conversation would be harder than I expected.
"Wait a moment, please." She called, her tone slightly disturbed, "Ugh, who could be knocking at this hour?" She whispered, apparently not quietly enough.
I was slightly disappointed by the fact that my visit had perturbed her sleep, considering I was there under selfish pretenses. Still, I carried a small hope in her understanding my need for seeing her.
The door slid open, and there she was, her hair somewhat mussed from sleep, looking up at me with disbelief.
"Byakuya," she said, a gasp following her call, "What are you doing here?"
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Late night visit, anyone? Byakuya does know how to surprise people. What could he want at such hours of the night? I don't think he's there to ask for a cup of sugar, or is he?
Anyways, about chapter 17, I'll try to post it next friday. I know you will probably be busy since it's the holidays, but the story should be waiting here, just like a Holiday present for all of you.
As always, leave your comments and reviews by clicking on that rectangle thingy at the bottom of the page. I love reading your comments, just don't curse me out because of the long absence. At least I'm back now, right? :)
Merry Christmas to all of you. Have a nice week everyone. And let us remember that Byakuya is at the door. Again.