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.

Mr. Cereal: Welcome back. :D As far as the fan club goes, and I should have mentioned (I editted it in the previous chapter), it's a top-secret 'exclusive' club. The instructors and whatnot know nothing about it. Just a group of silly girls who are all close friends and they all find him to be attractive and want his money, basically. And Kenpachi's situation with the sparring will be touched on in THIS chapter.

thelovablechelsea: LOOK AN UPDATE. I'm actually slacking off on school work for this story. Only 10 days left so whatever. Anyways. As far as Byakuya's confession of undying love... All in good time. ;D

Thank you everyone for your lovely reviews!

The House of Kuchiki

CHAPTER SEVEN

Try as she might, Hisana couldn't concentrate on her studies at all. Byakuya was supposed to return home that night, and all the news from the communications team so far had been good. A couple injuries, but nothing major. At least, that's what she had gathered from the chatting in the hallways.

Lunch hour arrived and she went off to collect her food. After politely turning down Matsumoto's offer to sit together, she started to head into the courtyard. The usual glares were replaced with smirks as she started to head toward the plum blossom tree.

A girl stepped forward. "You're not good enough for him, you know. Look, he didn't even show up today." It was the leader of the 'exclusive' Byakuya fan club.

Frowning, Hisana ignored her. She never understood how it could be a fan club if it was 'exclusive' to only the friends of the leader. They were mean anyways, and they liked him for all the wrong reasons. "I'm sure he'll never come back," the girl continued. "He was just playing with your emotions."

She had grown used to ignoring those types of remarks, and with some help from Matsumoto, the taunting had died down a little. It was the same taunting every time Byakuya couldn't make it. And every time, he would return the next day.

She sat alone and ate her lunch, ignoring the constant staring from the others inhabiting the courtyard. The rest of the day wasn't any different; glares, staring, snickering and a couple of shoves here and there. When the final bell had rang, Hisana couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as she stepped out of the academy grounds.

Looking off into the distance, she noticed a group of death gods approaching. Yachiru was at the front of them, she noticed, and she was running ahead of the others shouting something that was difficult to understand from such a distance. Hisana stopped by a nearby tree and waited for the group to pass in an attempt to hear what was going on.

"I don't understand it! First I get forced into teaching those brat kids, then I get forced onto this easy mission, and then he steals all my thunder and gets a promotion! I wouldn't have signed up for all that if I knew I would get nothing in the end!" Kenpachi, who was walking in the group, was scowling at the person next to him.

Yachiru, who had climbed the academy walls to sit and wait for her friends, jumped off the wall onto Kenpachi's shoulders. "You didn't sign up, Ken-chan! I signed you up so you could come with me!"

She jumped off and began walking backwards, facing the person next to Kenpachi. "Toshiro-san, why did Byakuya-san steal Ken-chan's thunder?"

Byakuya...? He's home then... Hisana frowned.

"Kenpachi doesn't have any thunder to begin with, Yachiru," Hitsugaya replied. Did he go on the mission with Byakuya as well? "Byakuya's promotion was well deserved. You saw what happened... If Kenpachi would have just shut up about how bored he was and let us concentrate, Byakuya wouldn't have had to do what he did."

"But anyways... he's Lieutenant Kuchiki now, you should get used to calling him that."

Yachiru nodded. "Do you think he's done reporting to the Commander General? We should have a party for him! I'll bake a cake!"

Hisana watched them walk off. A party, huh? She turned and started to head back to her house. He'd have more fun at the party than he would have with me... I'll just... wait until tonight, then.

Byakuya, who had just returned back to his manor from reporting to his superiors, was greeted by a bowing servant. "Byakuya-sama... The elders wish to speak with you."

"I wanted to speak with them as well; it saves me time if they're all gathered already." Byakuya took off his death god uniform to reveal a heavily bandaged torso, causing the servant's jaw to drop. Byakuya ignored his reaction and put on the plain white robe he had been wearing when he first met Hisana. "They're waiting for me then?"

The servant nodded slowly and bowed as Byakuya began to head towards the elders' conference room. "Stay there until I'm done."

A few hours later, Byakuya opened the door walked out of the room slowly, then slammed the door behind him and began walking towards the servant, who bowed respectfully. Byakuya removed his white robe and handed it to the servant. "That needs to be washed."

The servant looked it over slowly and noticed a blood stain, then looked up with wide eyes to see a pale Byakuya with the bandages on his left side in the same condition as the robe. Byakuya put his previous attire back on and left the manor without another word.

Flashstepping his way towards the area he usually met up with Hisana, he stopped at the corner where they first crashed into each other and leaned against the wall to catch his breath. Cursing under his breath he wiped the sweat off his forehead and tried to stand up straight. I refuse to let her see me like this.

Taking a couple of steps forward, he regained his balance and walked slowly towards Hisana's house, staying close to the wall at all times.

After what seemed like an eternity, he arrived at Hisana's house. He found her sitting on the steps in front of the door, looking down at the floor. She looked up at him, then looked back down at the ground.

Byakuya took slow steps towards her and stood in front of her. "Hisana-san. I... I'm sorry I wasn't able to come sooner. Have you been waiting long?"

Hisana shook her head. "Welcome home, Kuchiki-sama." She moved over slightly and patted the spot next to her. She had convinced herself not to be upset with him; that it was alright that he spent time celebrating his promotion. "I trust the mission went well."

Byakuya nodded and sat down next to her slowly. "Hisana-san..." This is going to be difficult...

"Hm?" She still hadn't looked at him.

"Nevermind. It's nothing." Byakuya stood up slowly and turned to face Hisana, flinching slightly.

"... did you enjoy your party then?" She looked up at him, failing to notice the paleness of his face.

"What party? I hate parties; I thought I told you that."

Hisana frowned, speaking quietly. "... I can't believe you can come here and lie to me..."

"I didn't attend any party, Hisana-san..."

"Where were you then? If you weren't at the party thrown in your honor, why didn't you come sooner...? You promised you would!" She stood up.

"I have my reasons. It's none of your concern." Byakuya turned away from her.

"Why can't you just tell me the truth?!" She felt her eyes begin to burn.

"I already said it's none of your concern. If you knew your place, you would leave it at that." Byakuya replied coldly. I'm sorry, Hisana...

"... fine then." Hisana walked up to her door and opened it, stepping inside. "Good bye, Lieutenant." Sliding the door shut behind her with a slam, she fell to her knees.

And for the first time in two months, Hisana felt tears roll down her cheeks.

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OH NO! TROUBLE IN PARADISE. D: Don't hate me! T-T! I'll post the next chapter tomorrow after school. I haven't written it yet, but it's all sorted out in my little brain.