DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or any of the characters associated with it. They belong to their respective owners. This storyline and original characters, however, do belong to me.

H'okay people, sorry for not updating yesterday, I was waiting for more people to tell me what they wanted to happen and I haven't had time to breathe since school let out for some stupid reason.

Anyways. I've made my decision. I know a lot of you wanted me to keep Hisana alive, but I'm going to go with what I originally planned and follow the manga for THIS fic. Once I'm done with this one, I'll start a new AU fic starting from a random point in this story. (Probably from when Byakuya learns of Hisana's illness.) And she won't die in that one. Sorry if this makes any of you upset with me, but I already had things planned out in my insane little head and I don't wanna just get rid of those ideas. :x

The House of Kuchiki

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

A week had passed.

A week, and with each passing day, the change in Hisana became more and more obvious.

Especially to Byakuya.

She no longer smiled as often; she avoided conversations when she could. She skipped meals, even when she stayed at the Kuchiki manor. Even at the end of the academy year, she didn't celebrate with her classmates that they were off for three straight months.

And it seemed that only Byakuya had noticed. Which, in turn, led to Kanaye noticing Byakuya's concern.

That morning, Hisana hadn't even come out of the guest room. When her door was knocked on by Kanaye, she didn't respond. And when Kanaye reported back to Byakuya for what seemed to be the millionth time to the people seated at the breakfast table, Byakuya let out a deep sigh with a frown.

The hungry clan members shifted impatiently in their seats. Of course they wouldn't understand... Hisana was grieving and only Byakuya understood why. It was because he understood that he took the verbal abuse from his family and waited for her as long as possible before starting a meal.

This meal, of course, was no different.

Arisu, who had stopped talking to Byakuya since he had 'embarrassed' her in front of Hisana, rolled her eyes. Now was a good time to start talking, she decided. She was hungry, and he was certainly being annoying.

"If you don't order the food, I'm going to go to that girl's room and drag her out," she stated, looking at her outstretched hand, admiring her newly polished fingernails.

Byakuya didn't respond. He had, as immature as it might seem, also resorted to ignoring his cousin.

"Oh come on. I thought I was the only one immature enough to give the silent treatment. I didn't even offend you!"

"Yes, but you offended her." Byakuya looked up at her, his eyes full of a poorly suppressed worry.

"... My goodness." Arisu looked at her cousin sadly. "I didn't think you were this serious about the girl."

"Her name is Hisana. I would appreciate it if you would start calling her that."

"... you're really serious about her?" Arisu's jaw dropped slightly.

"In all the years you have known me, Arisu, when have I not been serious?" He beckoned Kanaye forward. "Try again."

Kanaye nodded but stopped when Arisu held up her hand. "I'll handle it, Kanaye. Girl talk." She smiled slightly at Byakuya and stood up from the table, heading out before her cousin could object.

---

Arisu arrived at Hisana's door and knocked gently. "Hisana-san."

Inside the room, Hisana looked up at the door, slightly shocked at the voice she had heard. "Arisu-san?"

"May I ... come in?" Arisu bit her lower lip. She hadn't been the nicest person to Hisana these last few days; it was unlikely she'd be allowed in.

Hisana slowly walked over to the door, sliding it open and forcing a tired smile before stepping aside to allow Arisu in. "What brings you here?"

Arisu stepped in slowly, watching Hisana slowly push the door shut. "I... need to speak with you." Arisu slowly sat down on the bed and watched Hisana drag her feet and sit down next to her.

"About...?"

"How..." Arisu pursed her lips before continuing. "... do you feel... about... my cousin?"

Hisana, who was shocked but the suddenness of the question, looked down at her hands. "I... I care for him, I guess."

"Care for him?" Arisu frowned slightly. "Is that all?"

"It's not like I'd be allowed to feel much more. With the elders forcing these rules around and whatnot..." Hisana replied, her voice full of a deep sorrow that made the room seem darker. "Besides... I'm sure he feels nothing for me."

"... feels nothing?" Arisu furrowed her brow. "Look at me, Hisana-san."

Hisana slowly raised her gaze to Arisu with questioning eyes.

"I've known Byakuya all my life. I've always looked up to him for the ideal way to be a Kuchiki; I've always respected him..." Arisu smiled at Hisana. "I never knew how he could live without smiling or showing feelings, and then I realized one day that he had no reason for anything as foolish as emotions."

Hisana frowned. "You see? He couldn't feel anythi--"

"But then he met you," Arisu continued, taking Hisana's hands. "My cousin never smiled until he met you. He has this joy in his eyes when he speaks even just your name that I have never before witnessed."

"Why are you telling me this? You said yourself that I wasn't meant to be with him only last week." Hisana gently pulled her hands away. "I've realized myself I don't deserve someone as wonderful as he is..."

"I..." Arisu looked away from Hisana for a moment before looking back. "I said those things because... I worried for him. When it comes to feeling love, even a person with a heart of ice like his could get hurt..."

"Feeling... love?" Hisana's gaze slowly lowered down to her lap.

Arisu nodded and put her hand on Hisana's chin and lifted her face to look at her. "You and my cousin are perfect, Hisana-san. I see that now."

"You... really think so?"

Arisu nodded once more.

"What of the elders...? They certainly don't think I'm perfect for him."

Arisu smiled and stood up slowly. "Leave them to me." Walking to the door and sliding it open, she turned to look at Hisana. "Come to breakfast, then?"

Hisana nodded and forced a smile. "I'll be there soon."

"Oh and... Don't forget the flower." Arisu stepped out of the room and slowly slid the door shut behind her.

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I'll see if can update tomorrow, but I'm supposed to be stupidly busy. I'll try my best, though. I would have gotten two chapters up today, but I had to go out to a graduation dinner for my cousin that took FOREVER.