I Promise…
By Melissa

Disclaimer:: I do not own any of the characters of the background story line. That all belongs to Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach. All rights reserved. Constructive criticism is welcome. No flames please.

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Chapter 1

"Hey Kuchiki! Get your damn head in the game! What hell is going on with you today?"

The sun was high in the sky and beat down on the heads of training shinigami. Byakuya looked over at his instructor, taking his gaze away from the distraction.

"What?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"Jeez Kuchiki, you've really been out of it recently. Trouble in the family?" The instructor chuckled, knowing that he had stepped over the line.

"That's none of your business. Now are you going to train me or keep gossiping like a girl?" Byakuya retorted, glaring at his instructor.

"Fine fine, don't get so upset. You know you don't even have to train. You're gonna become a captain, easy," the instructor said, tossing his head casually.

"We'll see." Byakuya squared his shoulders, trying with all his might to perfect his zanpaktou.

Later after practice, Byakuya went back to the royal house, hoping he could sneak away without being noticed.

"Byakuya, is that you?" He sighed, figuring that he could never make it past without his grandfather finding out.

"Yes, it's me. What is it?"

"How was practice? Captain yet?"

"No not yet and it was fine. Still trying to master my zanpaktou. It'll come though."

"Hmph. With your heated temper, I don't know how you can manage anything."

"Is there something you need, grandfather or are you just here to insult me?"

"Yes yes, all right. I have come to talk to you about becoming the head of this clan." Byakuya stopped in his tracks, looking back at his grandfather's still figure.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me. It's almost time for you, Byakuya, to take over this clan and become the head of the house."

"But you're still alive. Why would I take over now?"

"Because it's time for you. But before you can take over, a wife must be found for you."

"Oh." Byakuya thought back to practice and the lovely distraction he was able to encounter.

"Have you found any respectable noble girls that you are interested in?"

"Well, not really."

"Not really? So there is one. Who is she?"

"That's not what I meant. There isn't anyone."

"Hmph. If you don't find one, I'll have to arrange one for you. I can't wait forever for you to find your fancy."

"May I be excused, grandfather?"

"Of course of course. Goodbye, Byakuya." His grandfather walked off, his calm, hunched figure radiating power and serenity.

Byakuya walked to his room and fell onto his bedding. He stared at the ceiling for a long time, contemplating what his grandfather had just revealed to him.

"Me. Head of the clan. Can you believe that?" he said to himself, closing his eyes.

In the darkness of his eyelids, he saw her. Her perfect figure. He soft face. Her gentle smile. Her caring eyes. He saw her in passing, but he wished he could memorize everything there was to her. He didn't know her name, her clan, anything. He did know that he wanted to meet her. There was an aura about her that said serenity and tranquility. An aspect in his life that he had never encountered.

He stood up and walked out of his room, deciding to find her and meet her. The thought of talking to her made him antsy, nervous, and anxious. Feelings he had never felt before. Sensations he had never experienced before. And, like an addiction, he wanted more.

He walked around everywhere. The noble houses, the training grounds, the main marketplace. Nothing. He decided to try the Rukongai, the poorest division of Soul Society. He walked around for hours, searching high and low for this mysterious girl. And finally, he found her. She was smiling, talking with a friend, holding a large bag of rice.

She was exactly as he remembered. Gentle. Kind. Peaceful. Even just looking at her, he felt more at peace with everything around him. And with his temperament, that never happened.

He approached her slowly, listening to her talk.

"Well, I know I spent the majority of the money I have on this bag of rice, but I need it for the week. I have someone else I need to care for."

"I know, but what if it goes to waste? Then you will have wasted that money."

"Oh, rice never goes to waste. I'll use every grain."

"I'm sure you—Oh! Kuchiki-dono. Excuse us." They stepped aside and bowed their heads as Byakuya approached.

"No no, it's quite all right. You may call me Byakuya. I was wondering if I could speak with you?" He turned his attention to the girl holding the rice, her eyes going wide.

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow Asaki."

"I'm sorry if I interrupted your conversation."

"It's okay. We've never talked to or even seen a member of a noble clan in the Rukongai!" she laughed, her eyes closing slightly.

Her voice was like wind chimes to him. It tinkled in the wind, sounding surreal but beautiful. Her violet-blue eyes shined in the sun, sparkling like diamonds in the water. Her skin was pale, glowing in the rays of the sun. He couldn't believe the creature in front of him. Her infinite beauty and selfless personality.

"Here, let me help you carry that. It looks rather heavy." He reached for the rice bag and took it out of her hands.

"Oh! Thank you so much, Kuchiki—oh, I mean—Byakuya-dono. I live just down the road. Not too far to walk." She led the way, looking over at him periodically.

"I'm guessing you're wondering why I wanted to talk to you."

"Yes, that was on my mind. But I would never actually ask. It's not my place." She looked at her hands, wringing them together. They had reached her house and Byakuya set down the rice bag. She was still looking at the ground, feeling insignificant. He lifted her chin to look at him, her eyes wide in confusion.

"I wanted to talk to you because you caught my attention. I want to get to know you. And I hope that you would like to get to know me." He smiled at her, feeling her peace wash over him.

"Yes, I would like to get to know you, Byakuya-dono. Very much so." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with happiness and gentleness.

"What's your name?" he asked, his hand on her face. There was a gentle care in his eyes that stunned her, her eyes growing wide. She relaxed, her own eyes exuding the same gentleness and care that his had.

As the sun was setting in the Rukongai, she put her hand on his, looking him in the eye.

"My name is Hisana."

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So there you go! The first actual chapter. I hope it met all of your Bleach, ByakuyaxHisana needs. more will be coming soon. I don't know exactly what the second chapter is going to be over.... that'll be tough. But I hope you enjoyed chapter. again, please let me know if it's too OOC or if it's horrible or if you absolutely love it. either way, comments and feedback is always nice to receive. Thanks!