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.

Kotomi-sama: Well, you know Matsumoto. Party, party, party! (Hint, hint.)

BlackVelvetBand: Actually, I wasn't. But after reading my chapter over and glancing over on my shelf, I realized that some of the things were an awful lot like Pride and Prejudice. Hehe, I've seen that movie so many times, the lines must've floated out of my subconscious, to my fingers, and in the chapter.

A/N: This one's kinda short, but today was stupidly busy and I have no idea why... D: Long one up tomorrow if I find the time. ;-;

The House of Kuchiki

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"I..." Hisana brought her hands up to grasp his gently, forcing them down. Wiping her own tears, she looked at Byakuya, searching his face slowly. She knew what she wanted to say... but... why wouldn't her lips say what her mind was already shouting? What was holding her back?

Tears formed in her eyes from frustration and she threw her arms around him, burying her face into his robes, crying softly. Byakuya slowly raised his hand up and ran his fingers gently through her hair in an attempt to comfort her and remain strong. What exactly was running through her head?

Sniffling and pulling back slowly, Hisana wiped her tears away and looked down at her hands that she had placed in her lap. She slowly raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes full of new tears as she stared into his eyes. She searched his eyes slowly, finding traces admiration, joy, and, something she had never seen before in him, nervousness.

Unsure if her vocal chords were going to cooperate with her, she decided to give her reply in a different manner and slowly leaned forward, pressing her lips to his gently – once, twice, then three times – before embracing him once more, her head resting against his chest.

Byakuya smiled down at her. "Am I to interpret that as a yes?"

Hisana pulled back and sat up straight once more, blushing and looking into his eyes again as she nodded. She let out a small giggle when she saw all the emotions in his eyes suddenly melt away to an incontrollable relieved joy. "Goodness... eyes really are a gateway to the soul..."

Byakuya felt a smile creep across his lips and he leaned forward as Hisana closed her eyes, gently planting soft kisses on her forehead, then her eyelids, then trailed down to her cheeks until finally resting on her lips, lingering briefly as he brought his hands up to cup her face in them before pulling back.

They remained there in that position, staring into each other's eyes while the rest of the world seemed to go silent. Unable to contain the immense joy he felt, Byakuya leaned forward again to claim her lips with his once more.

Just then, Arisu came up around the bend of the path and waved her arms madly, squinting to try to figure out what they were up to. "BYAKUYAAAA! HISANA-SAN!"

"BYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKUYA!" Getting closer, her eyes went wide when she finally could see them clearly and flinched when she saw Byakuya pull back and look over at her with a... happy-eyed frown?

Hisana blushed slightly and smiled at Arisu when she finally arrived at the tree and looked between the two of them slowly.

"... uh... so..."

"What is it, Arisu?"

...Byakuya's smiling? I interrupt them and he's SMILING? "Well... A young woman is here for Hisana-san. Matsumoto Rangiku? She says you know her, Byakuya."

"... ah, yes. Her. Briefly." Byakuya stood up slowly and offered his hand to Hisana. "Let's go to her, then."

Arisu shook her head. "No, I need to speak with you alone anyways, cousin. Hisana-san knows the way back, I'm sure."

Hisana took Byakuya's hand and stood up, nodding. "Just follow the path."

"Exactly, Hisana-san. I knew you could do it." Arisu watched Hisana and Byakuya reluctantly release hands and waved goodbye to Hisana as she headed down the path.

Once she was sure Hisana was out of earshot, she looked at her cousin with a raised eyebrow. "And you refuse to admit you love her."

"I just never said it out loud, Arisu. That doesn't mean I refuse to admit it." Byakuya watched Hisana walk down the path with a smile, following her with his eyes.

"So how goes Operation: Marry Hisana?" Arisu followed Byakuya's gaze slowly and smirked. "Any advances?"

Byakuya nodded, finding it nearly impossible to contain his joy. "She said yes."

"...yes?" Arisu looked at Byakuya, a trace of confusion in her face that immediately turned into shock. "SHE SAID YES?!"

Byakuya nodded again. Arisu jumped up and down repeatedly in a fit of excitement before throwing her arms around Byakuya. "Congratulaaaations! When do we want the wedding?! Soon?! I'LL GET RIGHT ON IT!" Releasing him quickly, she turned and headed quickly down the path towards the manor.

Byakuya sighed and shook his head, following behind her with a smile plastered on his that he couldn't seem to get rid of. And, to be honest, he was sure he didn't really want to.

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And so Matsumoto invades the Kuchiki manor. Will Hisana be able to keep THIS from Matsumoto? Probably not. :3... Matsumoto's reaction to the manor, and Hisana's wonderful news, will be up tomorrow after graduation rehearsal.