DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or any of the characters associated with it. They belong to their respective owners. This storyline, however, does belong to me.
thelovablechelsea: Sake party! Woo! (There will be one soon, I swear.)
Conterra-san: :D Thanks for your review. Here's another chapter for ya.
animequeen100: Yay for bonding! There's certainly going to be plenty of it happening very soon. Patience on the whole kissing thing, though. All things come in time. ;D
The House of Kuchiki
CHAPTER SIX
"Kuchiki-sama!" Hisana ran down the hall leading to the courtyard. She had spotted him from all the exit of the classroom all the way down the hallway, and for some reason, she realized that she couldn't help running.
There were girls in a group near Byakuya, whispering to each other and turning back occasionally to look at Hisana with a glare. They were unhappy that Hisana, a girl not even in the Top-Secret Kuchiki Byakuya Fan Club, was able to spend so much time with him.
"I made you lunch again, Kuchiki-sama." She held up a box wrapped in a cloth for him with a smile. He took it and forced a smile, bowing a bit to thank her. Hisana frowned. Something's wrong...
Byakuya, who still hadn't said a word, turned and began walking to their usual eating spot: the spot that they were assigned during the sparring lesson. Finally, as they were drawing closer to their destination and away from the crowd of students, Byakuya spoke. "Do you remember when I first came to visit?"
Hisana nodded. "I was getting glares and dirty whispers from everyone..."
"Not much has changed, has it?"
Nearly two months had gone by and their late night walks continued. Their conversations began growing from the brief ones they had initially to longer conversations about various things that had occurred during the day. They had even added a game to the walks. Each night, one of them would reveal a random bit of information. Whether it was a favorite color, a pet peeve, or a random little secret of little importance, the other would reply with a similar response.
Within the last month, Byakuya, if he had the time, began visiting the academy during Hisana's lunch hour. One night, she had timidly asked him to come, to which he replied that he 'would try'. Since then, he made a valiant attempt each day to try to make it, apologizing at some point later in the day if he was unable to.
Laughter was commonplace; smiles, even if just slight ones in Byakuya's case, were plentiful; and similarities were abundant. There seemed to be nothing that could stop their simple relationship from growing into a strong one. Except, of course, the fact that she was a commoner... and he was nobility.
But, at times like now, when he was with her, Byakuya didn't seem to care if he was breaking the rules of the clan to be there.
"I believe it's your turn to share a secret, Kuchiki-sama."
"I thought that was only at night, Hisana-san." Byakuya raised an eyebrow, as the two of the sat down under a plum tree.
"It usually is, but we didn't get to it last night, remember? And I went first the night before. So it's only fair you make it up now." Hisana began unwrapping her lunch carefully.
Byakuya nodded and also began unwrapping his lunch. The clan elders decided to pester him about marriage as he was about to leave again. He didn't understand the reason they were pressuring him so much, and while half of him wanted to tell Hisana of his troubles, the other half felt it to be his burden to bear.
Hisana frowned, watching him as he unwrapped the meal slowly and went to open the box.
Byakuya suddenly spoke up. "I have a mission in the morning. I don't know how long it'll be until I can return to Soul Society."
"Oh...I see." Is that what was bothering him?
"That's not my secret, but I felt you should know." Hisana nodded, but still noticed the same look in his eyes. Apparently not.
"So... let's see..." Byakuya lifted out a rice ball slowly, but then put it down. "Ah, I have one. It's not a secret... but... more a confession. I've been thinking."
"Really? I think often as well, Kuchiki-sama." Hisana laughed and opened her box up as well.
Byakuya smiled inwardly. "You didn't let me finish, Hisana-san." He looked around and picked up a fallen plum blossom. "I've been thinking that you would look..."
He leaned towards her and placed it in the wisps of the hair above her left ear, then moved back to look at her.
"...quite beautiful with a flower in your hair."
Hisana blushed a shade of pink that practically matched the blossom in her hair.
"Now..." Byakuya lifted the rice ball back up and took a small bite before putting it back down. "I believe it's YOUR turn, Hisana-san."
"Um..." Hisana looked down at her lunch, still blushing. "Hm... I need to give a confession as well then..." She lifted up a rice ball and also took a small bite. "Let's see..."
"Okay! Got it!" She gently put down her bitten-into rice ball. "I enjoy it when you smile. And I mean REALLY smile..."
"I smile often enough..." Byakuya cut in, raising his eyebrow.
"No... I mean... not those... the ones where you smile in your eyes too. I've only seen it twice. And... well... I would like it if I could see it more often, Kuchiki-sama."
"Only twice...?" Byakuya put his hand up to his mouth, covering the smile that was creeping its way forth.
Hisana leaned forward and put a hand around his wrist, and pushed his hand down. "Your eyes, Kuchiki-sama. Your eyes gave it away." With that, Hisana leaned back and continued to eat her lunch quietly.
Byakuya picked up his rice ball slowly and then looked at Hisana. "I'm going to owe you two more secrets," he said, breaking their momentary silence.
"Tomorrow night is only one secret, Kuchiki-sama." She took another bite.
"I have to leave to make preparations tonight, Hisana-san. I won't see you until I get back." Byakuya took a bite of the rice ball.
"Oh... I see..." Hisana frowned. "Will you come visit once you've returned?"
Byakuya nodded. "As long as it's not too late..." At that moment, the bell to tell students lunch hour was going to finish soon rang. Byakuya took the last bite of his rice ball and closed the box that used to be full of food.
"Did you enjoy it?" Hisana began closing her box as well and looked up to see Byakuya nod. Standing up, the two of them slowly began heading back towards the building in silence.
"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow night then..." Hisana looked up at Byakuya as they arrived at the building entrance.
Byakuya nodded. "Tomorrow night. If not... first thing in the morning the next day." Hisana looked down at the ground.
Tell him you'll miss him... say something... do something... "See you soon then, Hisana-san." Byakuya turned and began to leave. No! Why won't my body move...? Hug him! Do anything!
Hisana shot her hand out and grabbed his, making him turn to face her once more. She was still looking at the ground. "Good bye, Kuchiki-sama."
Byakuya smiled and moved his free hand to her chin to lift her face up to look at his. The courtyard suddenly went silent. "No, not good bye, Hisana-san."
He gave the hand he was holding a soft squeeze. "I'll see you soon."
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The next chapter is already planned out in my crazy little head, all I have to do is type it out. It'll be up tomorrow around this time, if not earlier. I promise.
A/N & A TINY Edit: After reading Mr. Cereal's review, I realized that the academy wouldn't allow a Byakuya fan club. I had intended it to be a secret 'exclusive' club of sorts, but I guess I forgot to mention that. So I changed that. Thank you, Mr. Cereal. :D