Chapter 23: Morning Walks and Eloquent Speeches
"BEEP! BEEP!" I heard my alarm clock ring. I looked at the time and groaned. Why does 4:45am have to exist as a time for people to wake up in the morning? Rolling out of bed, I remembered what today was, and suddenly, all my sleepiness was gone. It was my first day back at work, and Toshiro-taicho said he had a new job for me today. I was super excited, but super nervous. I quickly got dressed in a new uniform that Rangiku-chan had given me. It was just like the one I had before, only this one had the short skirt. I smiled and pulled out some pink tights so I could feel like I could move more freely without flashing anyone.
After getting dressed and pulling my hair back into a high ponytail, I headed out the door and to work. It was a long walk from the Ukitake manor to the Tenth division, but since I woke up early, I could take my time. It was only around 6am when I left the house. I decided to take a walk around the Seireitei, considering I didn't have to be at work until 9am.
The Seireitei was truly a beautiful place. I walked up to the first division and then began walking through each division; however as I was walking past the first division, I saw the road to the Kuchiki manor. It was so tempting, but I didn't want to seem stalkerish so I continued my walk on the main roads. There were very few people out, but those who were would start to whisper when they saw me. It got especially bad when I was walking near the noblemen houses.
"How could Kuchiki-sama really be interested in a girl with such awful scars? It's not becoming of a noble," I heard some ladies huff. Ouch. That hurt, but I kept walking. I could not let them see me sweat. "Maybe she blackmailed him," another woman said. "Keep walking, Shinkiro," Aisuhime said comfortingly in my head. I decided I'd do one better.
"Ohayo gozaimasu (Good morning)! How are you both this morning?" I said pleasantly with my friendliest smile. They looked at me in shock, and then nodded and smiled nervously and said "fine!" in sync. I nodded in return and continued on my walk. I continued my walk a ways before I sensed a familiar spiritual pressure appear beside me.
"That was rather impressive. You handled that better than most nobles I know," Byakuya said calmly as I turned to look at him. I smiled sheepishly. "Well, I figured snapping wouldn't have made you look any better, and I'm trying my best to not to make things worse for you," I answered honestly, "And to be honest, seeing the shocked looks on their faces was worth it. When did you start following me anyways?" I stared at him accusingly. His face went slightly red.
"I sensed your spiritual pressure as I was getting ready for work and was curious as to why you were on this side of the Seireitei," he said looking to the side slightly. I smiled and grabbed his hand. "I'm glad you did. I was just going for a walk since I was so early for work," I explained with a smile, "I love taking walks." "As do I," he replied calmly. We began walking hand in hand around the Seireitei.
"Shinkiro, I want to say something about what those nobles said earlier," Byakuya said as we were walking. I looked to the side nervously. Oh no… Here it comes. He put his hand on my back and began tracing my scar softly with his hand. I flinched. I most certainly was not used to that, and we were in public. What was he doing? "Your scars," he started calmly, and I felt myself tense up even more, "They are a sign of how strong you are. They are a part of your past, and a reminder to me and everyone who sees them that we are in the presence of someone who has truly seen hell. And that you survived. If anyone disrespects that, it is simply because they are intimidated by your strength." I felt myself tearing up, and I turned to Byakuya and gave him my biggest smile. "I like this guy, Shinkiro. We should keep him around," I heard Aisuhime say in my head, and I agreed.
Bykuya looked at me and stopped. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him. "You are beautiful. Scars and all," he said sincerely with a small smile that was just for me. I felt my face turn red, and he pulled me into his arms protectively. I had never been happier. "Um, Kuchiki-sama, you do know you really shouldn't be with such a scarred and poor girl. It's not appropriate for someone of your status," I heard a noble say as she grabbed my arm and pulled me from Byakuya rather roughly and pushed me to the ground.
I looked up at her. She was gorgeous, and I bet she was much much closer to Byakuya's age than I am. She had long straight platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes which she was batting in Byakuya's direction. She was wearing a blue silk designer belly shirt and a short, tight black skirt. Byakuya looked annoyed and before he could say anything, I pushed myself off the ground and dusted myself off. "If I were you, I'd stay down, peasant," the girl said threateningly with an arrogant smirk. I couldn't help it. She pissed me off. "Well, if you were me, you'd also be dating Byakuya. However, you are not me, so if you could move along, that'd be great," I retorted calmly. Her mouth dropped, and I couldn't help but smirk when I saw a quick smile grace Byakuya's face. He was about to laugh! Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted by the collar of my uniform.
"You little bitch! Do you know who I am?! I am Ai Kazaya from the famous Kazaya clan!" the girl I now knew to be Ai yelled in my face. This girl was getting on my nerves, and I was already feeling sarcastic so… "Hajimemashite (Nice to meet you), Ai-sama. Watashi wa Shinkiro Ukitake desu (My name is Shinkiro Ukitake)!" I said in my friendliest voice.
Then, she surprised me. She punched me, in the face, very hard. I should have seen that coming, but I also should have been able to block it. I fell to the ground, and she got on top of me and began to continually punch me. However, I did not fight back because I didn't want any nobles to see me beating another one.
Suddenly, I felt her weight come off of me. I looked up through swollen eyes to see quite the crowd around us, and Byakuya holding the girl up by her designer shirt. Many members of the crowd began to look at me with eyes of pity and disgust. I heard things like "wow, she's that weak. No wonder she has so many scars," and "she's obviously not strong enough to make up for her peasant status." This was getting ridiculous. I felt my blood pressure rising and with that, I unmasked my spiritual pressure as I stood up. The crowd went silent.
"I did not fight her," I said calmly, but loudly enough that everyone could hear me, "because of the spiritual pressure difference. It is beneath me to fight an unworthy opponent and dirty my hands over something so obsolete. Fighting over a man is not befitting of any lady, be she peasant or noble. Kuchiki-taicho has made his decision, and her fighting me does not dictate his choices. Yes, I have scars, not because I am weak, but because I was strong enough to survive the situations in which I received these scars." With that, I grabbed Byakuya's hand and started flashstepping away.
"Your speech was rather impressive, Shinkiro," Byakuya said when we got far enough away from everyone, "Come with me to my office. We need to treat your injuries." I nodded, knowing I didn't have much of a choice. We got to the office, and he turned and locked the door. It was still only 8am, and I know for a fact Renji-san wouldn't be early. My thoughts were interrupted by Byakuya grabbing my face softly and dabbing some wet gauze on my cuts. I hissed at the stinging pain of the antiseptic.
"Why did I let her do this to you?" Byakuya said in a very angry and concerned voice. I smiled smally at him. "I-I'm okay, Byakuya. I've been through so much worse," I said comfortingly. He looked at me annoyed. "That does not make me feel better, Shinkiro. I'm supposed to protect you now. Why did you let her do this? I know you are stronger than this," he asked with a sad tone. I smiled without humor.
"If I had fought back, it would have only ended badly for the both of us," I responded softly, "It is not befitting of any woman to fight over a man. I truly do believe that." I looked up to see him with a small smile. "Your speech really was eloquent. I do believe you shocked every single one of those nobles, including me. And I am not an easy man to impress, Shinkiro," he responded seriously. My smile grew, and I got on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
He smiled back and finished treating my injuries. I looked in a mirror and sighed. I had a pretty hefty black eye for my left eye and I had several bandaged cuts including my left cheek and forehead. I'm just glad she didn't break my nose. One thing is for sure, Oto-san is going to be pissed. I looked at the time. Shit! It was 8:45am, and I had to get across town. Byakuya kissed me softly on the forehead.
"Please come visit me at my manor tonight," Byakuya said softly, "I'd like to cook dinner with you." I nodded happily, and shunpoed all the way to work with a big smile on my face. Work was going to go so slow today.
I made it in and looked at the clock. 8:55am. Yes, I'm still early! My excitement disintegrated when I saw the look on my captain's face. "What the hell happened to you?!" Toshiro-taicho asked angrily.