Sacrament
….
A/N: Alright! An Author's Note BEFORE a chapter? No way! Anyway, in ElfishScallywag's review… : "I'm liking it so far! There's just one thing: I like the concept of the sacrifices (wow that sound wrong) but the premise is just so unlikely. If there are 4 times as many women, what the heeeeeell are the men doing in charge? And so extremely in charge as well! That's just weird. I can't imagine them being so subservient with no one but Rukia thinking of rebelling when there's just so many of them. They must meet in bathhouses or something like that and complain which would lead to something, right? But anyway, I'm interested in seeing where you're going with this :) " … There are a few questions I would like to answer!
One: The premise isn't completely unlikely. Remember, this is an era where men were very dominant and controlling. This is also a work of fiction.
Two: Yes, I know that women give birth to girls 4 out of 5, but that's why there are sacrifices! Since women are killed every year, the ratio of women to men goes dowwnnn, so in reality there are only 5 women to the 3 men ratio in Lorn since the sacrifices.
Three: There has been no rebellion. Why? Because. Think of it from the women of Lorn's perspective. These sacrifices have been going on for a hundred and plus years. They were born into this life knowing that they might be sacrificed. Of course they don't like it, but rebellion hasn't really come into mind since it is the way of their society. They were born into it, as their mothers and grandmothers were. They just try to keep on the DL so they won't be chosen to be sacrificed. Does that make sense? Leave a review about it or send me a PM if you're confused.
Four: There are no bathhouses lol.
Sorry this note is so longgg and THANK YOU ElfishScallyway for bringing these questions up! I'm sure that other people were thinking the same thing. Okay, I'm going to write this chappie now.
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Episode 4: Reminiscence
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." - Chanakya
….
Year: 1463 –Day of Hisana's Death—
"Where is that girl?" Byakuya hissed to Rukia's nurse, Unohana. "She needs to get ready to go to the ceremony."
"I don't know where she is, Duke." Unohana lied, folding some towels and putting them in a linen cabinet. Besides Rukia's mother, Unohana was the only one who knew of Rukia's exploits. "You don't think she ran off with some boy, do you?"
"Do not insult me." Byakuya clenched his fist. "Where is she?"
"I do not know, fair Duke." Unohana said. "Now, please, let me make you breakfast."
Byakuya replaced his face of anger with a Kuchiki mask of composure. "Very well." He spat, and whirled around, his white robes flowing behind him as he made his way down the marble curved staircase.
His wife Hisana had been chosen to be sacrificed today. He had told her the night before.
….
Last Night - Kuchiki Estate - Dining Hall
"Rukia, eat your broccoli." Hisana murmured to her young and rebellious eight year old daughter.
"I don't like broccoli." Rukia said defiantly, setting her silver fork down on her porcelain plate and brushing the stubborn band of hair away from her eyes. "I don't want to eat it."
"You will." Byakuya said with firm authority. He took a sip of wine and then proceeded to eat his steak with a knife and fork that scraped against his plate with a maddening sound.
Rukia sighed but picked up the fork and reluctantly put a piece of broccoli into her mouth. Hisana shared a sad look with her daughter but continued to eat her dinner silently. As soon as the silence became awkward, Byakuya finished his meal and stood up.
"I will retire." He looked at Rukia expectantly.
"Goodnight, father." Rukia whispered, twirling her fork around in her little mound of broccoli.
"Be sure to eat that." Byakuya said to his daughter. "Hisana." He nodded to his wife, then turned and left.
Hisana sighed and leaned over the table to grab a mysterious porcelain jar. She opened the lid and brought out a frosted pink sugar cookie, which she handed to her daughter.
Rukia almost squealed with delight as the delicacy was placed into her open hand. "Thank you, Mum."
Hisana smiled and took a linen napkin. "Here, hand me your plate." Rukia did as she was told and handed her mother the almost-empty plate. There was only the broccoli left to eat. Hisana then scooped up the broccoli with the napkin and folded it in half.
"In all honesty, I hate broccoli too. You must have got it from me." She winked to her daughter and tucked the napkin into her breast pocket. "I'll throw these horrendous things away later."
Rukia gave her mother the biggest smile she could muster and got up to place a kiss on her mother's cheek. "I'm going to go play outside with Ichigo."
"Okay… have fun!" Hisana said, her lips curling into a gentle smile. As soon as Rukia exited the dining hall, her smile faded. Tomorrow was October 31st. The Sacrifice. It was also Rukia's birthday.
'Poor child.' Hisana thought to herself and left the dining hall, leaving the maids to clean up their plates. She entered her and Byakuya's bedchambers to find him reading a thick hardcover book.
"What are you reading?" Hisana asked, sitting on the couch opposite of the one he was sitting in.
"The Encyclopedia of Scottish royal reign over foreign societies of the East." He replied bluntly. He turned the page, his eyes scanning the contents.
"How interesting." Replied his wife, leaning back onto the couch. After a silent moment, Hisana cleared her throat and spoke.
"So… have you found out who will be sacrificed tomorrow? I'm sure Aizen has told you." She picked a piece of lint off the hem of her dress. "I hope it's not anyone I know."
Byakuya slowly closed his book and set it on the coffee table beside him. He looked out of the curtained window in their bedchambers, not wanting to meet his wife's eyes.
"You." He said with almost no emotion. "You are to be sacrificed tomorrow during the ceremony."
Hisana's throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe. Her heart sped up and her palms became cold and clammy. Were the walls getting closer? It looked as if she was being closed in, the walls becoming smaller and smaller around her. A few jumbled tears escaped down her cheeks but she brushed them away before Byakuya could notice.
"Oh." Was all the woman said as she gradually got up from the couch. "I… um. I'm going to bed. Would you like to join me?"
She wanted to make love to the man she truly loved one last time.
Byakuya's eyebrows rose slightly. He walked over to his wife, and laid a soft, chaste kiss on her lips. If this was her dying wish, then he would give it to her.
The evening continued without much fanfare, it was just like any other night Byakuya decided to pay attention to her, but it was enjoyable anyway. When they were done, and Hisana's sleek and sweaty form was draped over Byakuya's chest, the man mumbled a few words.
"I'm sorry." Was all he said before he drifted to sleep...
….
Byakuya entered Aizen's bedchamber with fervor. The ceremony had taken place. Hisana had been the first to go. Hisana was dead. How dare Aizen? Byakuya was a Kuchiki. How could Aizen embarrass him like this? The whole village would talk about it for months.
He was a widower.
"Aizen." Byakuya said in a cold demeanor when he found the brown haired man sitting in a high-backed chair facing his window overlooking the village. "I wish to speak to your Excellency."
"Whatever for, fair-minded Duke?" Came Aizen's reply. His head turned toward the loathing man, acknowledging him.
"You dare embarrass me!" Byakuya hissed, barely able to keep his voice as low as it was. "You oversee all sacrifice procedures, and you choose my wife to be killed? Have you no reason? You've ruined my honored family name."
"I had four sources confirming her practices of black magic. Many of your neighbors saw her escaping to the woods early in the dawn for hours. That's quite suspicious, no? She was the obvious choice, Duke." Aizen broke off eye contact to look out of his window once again, completely ignoring Byakuya.
That stung a little. Byakuya almost flinched at the harm this man was doing to his pride. He almost turned on his heel and stormed out of the building when Aizen stopped him mid-stride with words.
"Besides… you never loved her anyway."
….
Year: 1474 -Ichigo and Rukia are in the woods—
"What are we doing?" He asked suddenly, placing a hand gently on her face. "What are we doing?"
Droplets of rain elegantly fell onto Rukia's eyelashes but she blinked them away.
"I don't know." Rukia said honestly. How did she get in this position? Ichigo was her friend, her protector. The only person she could trust in this village of blood and murder. Why would she jeopardize her friendly relationship with him over some romance?
"I want to be more than your friend." Ichigo said, quickly placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Every day I worry about losing you. If you got in a fight…" He kissed her again. "Or I don't know, died of some sickness, or if you were…" He winced. "Sacrificed."
Ichigo paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I don't exactly know what I'm feeling right now but I want to protect you and make sure you're safe in this village. I don't want you to leave."
Rukia was stunned by Ichigo's heartfelt soliloquy. Did he really feel that way about her? Or was he just using her for her body like every other boy would do? No, that can't be true. Ichigo had been Rukia's best friend for years. If he wanted to take advantage of her he would have done it already.
"I don't know what I'm feeling for you either, but I'm not going to leave, Ichigo." Rukia wrapped her arms around his torso. Ichigo smiled like a little boy and pulled her up so that they were both in a sitting position and held her tight for a long time.
When he finally let her go, it was only to place another small kiss on her lips, and then he placed his lips on the corner of her mouth, loving the little pout there. Rukia smiled, and wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck.
"You're still my best friend, you know."
"I know." Ichigo murmured against her cheek. "That doesn't change how I've felt about you since I met you."
"What?" asked Rukia, placing a hand on his surprisingly soft cheek. He has nice skin, she thought to herself quietly.
"I think I've had feelings for you since the first day we met." Ichigo shrugged. As if he was talking about the weather. Which was fortunately enough easing into a just a slight drizzle. They were still soaking wet though, and Ichigo tried his hardest not to look at Rukia's chest. It was hard not to though. I mean goddamn, it was a white shirt.
Rukia sniffed, the cold was cutting into her skin.
"Are you cold?" Ichigo asked, hugging Rukia closer and changing the topic. "Here-"
Ichigo grabbed for his bag he had with him that was on the ground and brought out a wool blanket. He didn't even know why he packed a blanket this morning; he just thought it might be needed. It was surprisingly cold for October 31st in Lorn.
The young man wrapped the blanket around Rukia –much to her protest—and stood up, letting Rukia set her feet on the ground.
"We should go back." Rukia hugged the blanket tighter to her petite and shivering body. "Byakuya is probably looking for me."
"I'll walk you home." Said Ichigo. Damn, that was turning into his own punch line. He, after a moment's deliberation, placed an arm around Rukia's shoulders and pulled her closer to him as they walked.
"I don't need you to be my bodyguard, Ichigo." Rukia said. "Just because we kissed doesn't mean I've become some helpless female."
They both blushed scarlet at that, knowing it was much more than a kiss. It was the definition of their future together. If they hadn't kissed, then he wouldn't be walking her home, and she wouldn't be thinking all night about him, and vice versa.
After about twenty minutes of casual walking, they finally approached back entrance of the Kuchiki estate. They both looked around, searching for any witnesses, but found none. They would all be in the courtyard by now to watch the ritual.
Rukia smirked and stood up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around Ichigo's neck to give him a goodbye kiss. Ichigo happily complied, and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against him, taking the kiss to a passionate new level. Rukia moaned slightly as Ichigo tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss, and put his tongue in her mouth, massaging hers. She immediately fought back with her tongue in an all-out war. Rukia fisted her hands in Ichigo's hair and Ichigo's hands were going lower… and lower...
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
"Achem." Unohana clutch her basket of laundry tighter. Rukia jumped and Ichigo let go of his best friend quickly, almost making her lose her balance.
"So this is what years of pent-up sexual tension will do." Unohana smiled half-way and raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, Unohana." Rukia glanced at Ichigo. His lips were swollen and he was giving her a hungry look. God, his striking face just screamed 'Eat Me.'
"Goodbye, Ichigo." Rukia gave him a limp wave and practically sprinted through the back door, her face completely and utterly beet red. Ichigo's face also flushed.
"See you around, Unohana!" He said before sprinting in the opposite direction.
Unohana smiled to herself and retreated back into the Kuchiki estate to finish the laundry. Thank God Byakuya was at the ceremony.
He would've skinned the boy alive.
….
End of Episode Four
A/N: Soooooooo what did you guys think? Tell me via reviews! I seriously love those things and I take them to heart! I hope you liked the flashback scenes with Byakuya. I thought they were really necessary to develop his character in this story. Please review and favorite! :D Deuces.