Chapter 5
"Is there a reason why you're looking at me like that, Iburo?" Byakuya questioned amused.
Iburo gulped fearfully.
Byakuya's team was back at patrolling. They wanted to make sure there were no remaining intruders, and Byakuya wanted to talk to someone at the village. As they made their way through the forest, Byakuya couldn't help but feel the guards' stares on him.
"My apologies, my lord" Iburo said quickly "it wasn't my intention."
"I suppose you have questions," Byakuya inquired while stopping and facing them "ask away."
Iburo and Kevin exchanged a wary glance. They were all riding horses, but Byakuya was the one who looked more menacing, with his sword, his cold reiatsu, and his imposing black stallion… Iburo wasn't sure if he wanted to lose his head just out of curiosity.
Robert however decided to go for it. He knew that Byakuya wouldn't hurt his staff, not even on bad mood days.
"The Lady, your betrothed, my lord" he said "who is she?"
Byakuya gave them a warning glance and, after making sure that there were no eavesdroppers nearby, he decided to tell them the truth. There was no point in hiding things from his most trusted men, at least they needed to be aware of everything that happened around the estate.
"Her name is Hisana Shihouin," Byakuya said "she is Yoruichi's adopted sister."
Iburo gaped, Kevin paled, and Robert's eyes widened.
"The day we found her at the river was the first time I ever saw her," Byakuya informed them "but besides the fact that she is gorgeous, I also felt her reiatsu, she's a perfect match."
"We weren't aware you were looking for a wife, my lord" Kevin pointed out.
"I was not," Byakuya scoffed "but father wants an alliance between Yoruichi and me."
Byakuya explained his father's letter and plans. He told them how reluctant he was at marrying Yoruichi, who would probably castrate him on his sleep, and how he believed that finding Hisana was destiny.
"Finding a Shihouin, a gorgeous Shihouin, in the middle of this predicament is a chance I am not going waste" Byakuya concluded.
"Does Lady Hisana wants to…?" Iburo shut up, he didn't dare to finish the question. Something was telling him that Byakuya was not exactly taking a "no" for an answer.
"She will be my wife," Byakuya declared confirming Iburo's suspicions "not only she meets the requirements, but she also protected the estate without hesitation."
The guards had to agreed with that.
"She has quite the temper and is not happy about my decision," Byakuya said with a little smirk "but I expect to have a talk about our situation once she wakes up."
Iburo was relieved. For a second he thought that Byakuya was going crazy, now he was certain that that was not the case, it was Soujun who was crazy for even thinking about a marriage between his son and Yoruichi Shihouin.
"Should we be worried about Yoruichi-sama looking for her, my lord?" Robert asked already picturing the messy scenario.
"Not for now," Byakuya assured him "I am not sure how long it will take for Yoruichi to come and demand to have her sister back, but once Hisana understands why this is necessary Yoruichi won't be a problem."
The guards nodded.
"I expect all of you to protect Hisana as the lady of the house," Byakuya told them "even if this arrangement came out of the blue, she is a noble woman and she must be treated as such."
"Yes, Sir!" Kevin, Iburo, and Robert agreed.
They had seen Hisana protecting their home, and their lord, they all believed that she deserved respect and besides, they wouldn't say it aloud, but they all believed that it was time for Byakuya to show interest in women.
"Let's go to the village," Byakuya ordered finally "there's someone I need to talk to."
They all nodded as they made their way through the forest.
"So that's the version he decided to go with…" Hisana thought slightly annoyed.
She didn't know how much time she had been unconscious. But, by the time she woke up, there were two maids ready to tend to her with much gusto.
Lucy and Stella were their names.
Hisana wanted to apologize for making them take care of her, but they didn't seem to mind. They eagerly helped her to get up and prepared a bath for her, they helped her wash her hair and now, as Lucy was rambling on how romantic her story with Kuchiki Byakuya was, and Stella was picking a kimono for her, Hisana could do nothing but listen to them and nod.
Stella approached her as Lucy helped Hisana out of the tub.
"My lady," Stella said with a smile, she was a lot quieter than Lucy but she was equally kind "a gift from lord Byakuya."
Hisana's eyes widened as she observed the golden hairpin.
"He ordered us to give it to you along with this gorgeous kimono" Lucy exclaimed while Stella was showing her a blue kimono with Sakura patterns. Both maids were enjoying Hisana's cute blush and surprised face.
Hisana gaped slightly as Lucy guided her to a little wooden stool.
"I don't think…" Hisana tried to say "I mean, this is way too generous, I should be going back home and…"
"Nonsense," Stella chuckled while approaching Hisana and combing her hair softly "the orders were to treat the future lady of the house with the highest hospitality."
Hisana gulped.
According to Yoruichi, Kuchiki Byakuya was violent and powerful but she never mentioned how crazy he was as well. What kind of man decides to take a wife out of the blue? And why her? Could it be that he didn't know how many women would to jump at his proposal? Or was this something else…?
"My lady," Stella said as she started to dress her up "the lord has requested for you to join him in the gardens for lunch."
Hisana frowned.
"Well," she muttered "I do need to speak to him."
"He'll be back shortly," Lucy said "he had some business at the village."
That picked Hisana's curiosity.
"The village of the Kuchiki province?" she asked "is it as gorgeous as the rumors say?"
Stella smiled at her as she secured the obi around Hisana.
"Is is quite prosperous," she nodded "we are all very proud of it."
"I would like to go" Hisana was one of those things that Yoruichi would often mention, how carefree and cozy the Kuchiki village was, the complete opposite of the lord's personality.
Lucy giggled as she placed the golden hairpin as a last touch on Hisana's hair.
"I'm pretty sure that lord Byakuya will take you once you feel better, my lady" she said and then made Hisana face the mirror.
Hisana had to admit that she loved the kimono and the hairpin, but she didn't want to make the lord believe that his gestures were welcome, that would send the wrong message.
"Thank you," Hisana said smiling, she knew her current predicament was not the maids' fault "this is gorgeous, I don't even know what to say."
"Your dress was stunning as well," Stella mentioned "here at the Kuchiki province those are not common."
Hisana smiled as she remembered the preferred outfit of the Shihouin province.
"Dresses are easier to move in," Hisana explained "and lighter as well."
"Well, once you get married to Byakuya-sama I guess we will have to bring the ones from your home," Lucy reasoned with a smile "you will be able to wear them again soon."
Hisana smiled weakly and nodded.
She needed to talk to Kuchiki Byakuya and demand her freedom.
"Come, my lady" Stella requested kindly "we will take you to the gardens."
Hisana stood up.
"Lord Byakuya! Lord Byakuya has arrived!"
Byakuya nodded at the villagers acknowledging them as he got down of his horse.
Some of the children ran towards the guards, Kevin and Iburo were especially good with children, while Robert always kept himself behind Byakuya in order to prove a point regarding respect. Byakuya didn't particularly mind. There was something quite peaceful about being at the village, and Byakuya worked hard so it would stay that way, the proof was the fact that not even the intruders had managed to sneak into it.
Byakuya greeted the adults that approached him, and allowed a couple of teenage boys to look after his horse.
"My lord," one elder resident greeted him "we heard about the attack to the estate, is everyone safe?"
Byakuya nodded.
"Our response was fast," he said "there were no casualties on our side, and we are expecting for a couple of prisoners to explain the reason behind the attack."
"That's good to hear," the old man nodded "we are glad."
Byakuya walked around the village, followed by Robert, as they made sure that everything was in order.
The Kuchiki village was one of the most prosperous around the area. It was hidden, surrounded by a huge forest and protected by more than one reiatsu barrier, humans were able to locate it easily, but getting inside was a challenge. There were guards surrounding the area constantly, and the villagers were wary of most outsiders.
Byakuya liked to believe that his territory was exclusive, and he was not of the residents were wordsmiths, swordmen, merchants, and a couple monks. The women wore gorgeous kimonos and, while not everyone was wealthy, it was not that easy to find someone who lacked the basic needs.
The only place harder to find, and harder to get into, was the Shihouin province.
Once he finished talking to the villagers regarding the safety and the current estate of the place, Byakuya headed to a small hut on the outskirts of the village. The real reason behind his knocked twice in order to be polite, but it wasn't as if anyone could deny him to enter wherever he pleased.
The door was opened a few seconds later and an old lady with grey hair smiled at him.
"My lord," Yua greeted him "to what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked as she allowed Byakuya to step inside.
"I need some information," Byakuya explained as he remained standing in the middle of the small hut "you are the only one who can provide some insight regarding this."
Yua nodded kindly and started to busy herself, she started to prepare tea as Byakuya eyed her warily.
Yua had been once a shinigami. She was now old and had decided to spent her last years on the human world in a secluded, but safe, area and with not commodities whatsoever. Byakuya never understood that, but he allowed her to remain here in his province.
The interesting fact was that Yua had been once a servant at the Shihouin estate, she had been close to Yoruichi's grandmother and she cared for Yoruichi as she was growing broke the Shihouin heiress's heart to say goodbye to Yua, but the old lady insisted that she was ready to live peacefully and Yoruichi couldn't deny her a thing.
"Information?" Yua inquired with a smile "I think you came to the wrong place, my lord, I am not that knowledgeable regarding birds."
Byakuya narrowed his eyes as she approached him with slow and uneasy steps.
"You are aware," he pointed out "how?"
"Rumors fly," Yua chuckled while handing him a cup of hot herbal tea "the villagers will not question you out of respect but, surely you didn't believe that having the lord of the province taking a woman to his chambers was going to go unnoticed?"
Byakuya frowned.
"I need to know about her" he told Yua.
"Hisana-sama…" the old lady smiled while nodding "gorgeous, powerful and" she gave Byakuya a significant look "quite lucky."
"How come I never heard of her?" Byakuya inquired "I have known the Shihouins my whole life."
"She was the Shihouins' secret" Yua explained while taking a seat in a wooden improvised table in front of Byakuya.
"Why?" Byakuya pressed on as he started to pace around the hut, he didn't understand how someone who could've lived in the Shihouin estate decided to end her days like this.
"They love her," the old lady nodded without offering useful context "especially Yoruichi, they need each other, my lord."
Byakuya understood the meaning behind her words immediately.
"I will not send her back" he declared annoyed. Finding her was destiny, she was the key to his freedom.
"You will," Yua sighed will shaking her head "Yoruichi-sama and Hisana-sama will not tolerate to be apart for so long, and you won't be able to hold her against her will."
"I already told her…" Byakuya tried to say.
"You might think that her soft voice and fragile complexion will guarantee that she will tremble under you and follow your orders," Yua scoffed slightly amused "you are sorely mistaken."
Byakuya didn't need to be told that. He was the one who felt her reiatsu, he had been the one who had seen the fire behind those eyes, and he had been the one to claim her as his even when she objected.
"I cannot give her back" Byakuya insisted.
"Then," Yua said while calmly taking a sip of her tea "do try to talk to her, like a gentleman, and explain the reasoning behind your actions."
"You are not telling me anything useful," Byakuya complained "and what exactly do you mean by "the meaning behind my actions"?"
Yua raised an eyebrow at him.
"You are not holding this girl just because she is gorgeous, my lord" she pointed out "I can only imagine what you will use her for."
Byakuya kept quiet at obviously knew everything, how? He was not sure, but he didn't have time for ridiculous riddles. He wanted the whole story behind Hisana's adoption to the Shihouin clan, what to do for Yua to actually start speaking? Something on his face must've shown because Yua giggled.
"You can take me prisoner and torture me, my lord" Yua offered, her eyes were twinkling as if she had just told the greatest joke "I might answer your questions then."
Byakuya glared at her.
"If you want to know about her you must ask her directly," Yua advised "she is a noble, a powerful one, but she is also a young woman and you cannot ignore that."
"She is stubborn" Byakuya said while fighting the urge to roll his eyes.
Yua laughed.
"That I know!" she agreed nodding "but you have a better eye than that, what do you think she values the most? Why don't you try to think about her nature?"
Byakuya looked aside as he remembered the little bird.
"Freedom," he muttered and then looked at Yua "am I correct?"
Yua nodded.
"Keep her by your side for a while and perhaps, once you set the bird free, he might come back to you."
"And if she doesn't?" Byakuya questioned.
"Something tells me she will," Yua said "there is something she values more than her own freedom."
"What is that?"
"Yoruichi's freedom" Yua said.
Byakuya's eyes widened slightly.
"Offer her a deal, my lord" Yua said "she will do anything for her sister."
Byakuya eyed Yua for a second more. He decided to ignore the fact that she obviously knew everything about his predicament, she had been close to Sara Shihouin and to Kuchiki Ginrei, her set of knowledge was not something to take lightly and that last piece of information was enough for him, now he knew what to use for the little bird to never leave his side.
"Thank you for the tea," Byakuya said finally satisfied "if you need anything do not hesitate to reach out."
Yua smiled at him and, without looking back, Byakuya left the little hut and made his way to his home.
Once he was back at his home, Byakuya spotted her the moment he stepped on the garden of the Kuchiki estate. Just as he guessed the kimono fitted perfectly, and the golden hairpin was a nice touch, hopefully she wouldn't realize the real purpose behind the little piece of jewelry.
Hisana looked gorgeous. She was admiring the sakura trees of the garden, and Byakuya was quite surprised at how her beauty amplified the elegance of the whole scenary.
"I'm glad to see you awake," Byakuya greeted her "are you feeling better?"
Hisana jumped slightly. She was so mesmerized by the trees and flowers around her so she never noticed Byakuya approaching her.
"I am okay" she told him in a low voice as she frowned at him.
Byakuya smirked slightly. He noticed Lucy and Stella keeping a respectful distance, he didn't need to guess that by this time Lucy had already shared everything he said, that's why he appointed the talkative maid to Hisana after all.
"I believe that they already shared my announcement" he pointed out lowering his voice and offering her his arm.
Hisana glared at him but took his arm.
"This is madness," she whispered "send me back home!"
Byakuya sighed.
"I will" he said.
"Really?!" she questioned surprised.
Byakuya started to walk and guided her through the garden. He was making sure that none of the servants would listen to them, and he was also enjoying how her eyes were taking everything around her, she obviously liked the gardens.
"You spent three days flying around here," Byakuya mentioned "yet you look fascinated by the whole place."
Hisana blushed slightly.
"I was not feeling well while hiding around as a bird," she admitted "and it is always better to experience things as a human."
Byakuya nodded.
Hisana was telling herself that this was horrible. She wanted to believe that this little stroll meant nothing, she was holding her captor's arm just to avoid him going to threaten Byakuya wanted to kill her, right? There was no other explanation, right?
There couldn't be another reason for the comfortable peaceful walk, or the fact that he had appointed maids to her, and the fact that she felt safe and protected was nothing but her survival instinct preventing her from panicking, right?!
Hisana frowned. She had been gifted wonderful clothes, jewels and the most delicious food... why? She refused to believe that Kuchiki Byakuya wanted to marry her, whatever for? He didn't even give her a choice in the matter! They didn't know each other!
"This is interesting," Byakuya mentioned as they walked over a little bridge passing the stream in the middle of the property "you're not uttering a single word, however your face is telling me everything."
Hisana glared at him.
"Do you tend to scoff a lot?" Byakuya taunted her.
Hisana had to admit that being under his care wasn't bad, not bad at all. She couldn't remember receiving this princess treatment before, and refusing and rejecting the maids' help and offerings didn't work.
Ever since she woke up she had someone next to her asking her if she needed anything. It wasn't all that different from the Shihouin estate, but everyone knew back home how Hisana preferred for the staff to look after Yoruichi instead of her. Here, at the Kuchiki estate, Hisana was made the priority and she didn't know how to feel about that.
She decided that they needed to talk, even if she found the handsome lord next to her quite insufferable.
"Why are you doing this?" Hisana asked with genuine curiosity.
"Why am I enjoying a nice walk around the garden?" Byakuya questioned while looking at the sakura trees surrounding them.
Hisana shook her head. They had walked deep into the gardens, no one would be able to see them or hear them so she believed she could speak freely.
"I need to go back home," she told him "Yoruichi must be worried sick about me."
Byakuya scoffed.
"She hasn't even tried to contact me to ask about you," he pointed out with disdain "you have way too much faith on her."
Hisana gritted her teeth. Did he want her to doubt Yoruichi?! She let go of his arm and walked in front of him, after a couple of steps she turned around and glared at him.
She would never doubt Yoruichi.
"Yoruichi is a province leader," Hisana pointed out while looking straight at him angrily "you must understand the amount of responsibilities she has, why would she bother coming for me? She knows I can handle myself."
Byakuya found quite curious how unwavering her trust in Yoruichi was. He had obviously upset her, so talking about the Shihouin heiress wouldn't take him anywhere with her.
"May I ask why you want to go back so fervently?" he asked while crossing his arms "surely you don't find your current living arrangements that troublesome."
Hisana blushed slightly. Why was he looking at her so intensely?Did he really believe that she would live with him just because he had shown her a little bit of kindness and decency?
"Well," she looked aside "I'm not fond of cages."
Byakuya smirked.
"I take it that they go against your nature" he said.
Hisana glared at him.
"Some women might find the kidnapping and the gifts romantic," she rolled her eyes "it is not my case."
"Kidnapping?" Byakuya chuckled "I already said I would send you back, didn't I?"He found her annoyance extremely amusing, he wondered how her eyes could look even prettier when she was angry.
Byakuya wanted to stare at those blue orbs for a long time.
"When?" Hisana inquired.
Byakuya didn't know when, despite Yua's advice he was reluctant to let her go. He understood that he couldn't keep her inside the Kuchiki estate forever, but she had not recovered completely and he didn't want to risk her well-being either.
That worry was not coming from a place of fondness, of course, but Byakuya was not going to endanger the key of his freedom and his guarantee at keeping his title and peace of mind. He would wait until she was feeling better and then, after having her accept his proposal and conditions, he would send her back until they were both ready for the marriage ceremony.
Byakuya wanted to believe that it was that simple, but he didn't know how to explain what was going on.
"So?" Hisana insisted when he didn't answer "why are you doing this? Surely you're not the kind of man who would marry an unknown woman?"
Byakuya raised an eyebrow at her.
"That's actually standard procedure for noble families," he said "Yoruichi will probably go through that as well."
Hisana snorted.
"Yoruichi will never go through that!" she exclaimed with a smile "we would declare war on anyone who would dare to trap her in a loveless marriage!"
There was a silence of a few seconds then and Byakuya understood that she didn't know. It made sense, Yoruichi received his father's letter while the bird was around his property.
He would explain, there was the only way he would make her listen.
"The truth is-"
"My lord! My lord!" someone yelled while approaching them.
Byakuya cursed at the timing, but for the sound of it, it was an cut the distance between Hisana and him and grabbed her hand.
Hisana gasped slightly but kept herself next to Byakuya, she understood that he wanted to keep up the appearances but he certainly didn't seem to mind her proximity.
"My lord, my lady!" Kevin said as he reached them.
Hisana blushed and pursed her lips.
"My lady, as if!" she thought embarrassed.
"My apologies," Kevin apologized breathlessly "an intruder turned himself in, he is demanding to talk to you, my lord, and inform you about the next attack."
Hisana's eyes widened while Byakuya frowned.
"Was he allowed inside?" Byakuya questioned.
"He was not," Kevin assured him "Robert and Iburo are questioning him but he refuses to explain further unless you are there."
Byakuya clicked his tongue. There was no way around it.
"Stay here," he instructed Hisana "I'll be right back."
Hisana shook her head.
"I want to listen to what he has to say!" she exclaimed "that way I can inform Yoruichi!"
Byakuya frowned at had kept her last name as a secret around the estate, but he supposed that it didn't matter anymore, it would take all of the servants a couple of minutes to figure out to which family she belonged if she were to talk to the intruder.
"So be it" he said.
Rumors he could ignore and in the worse case… control.
Everyone made space as Byakuya and Hisana made their way to the front of the estate. Byakuya thought that it was a good thing that she wasn't letting go of his hand, did she believe that he would leave her behind if she were to let go? Byakuya smirked, it didn't matter, this was perfect for appearances sake.
Once they both reached the entrance of the estate the guards bowed respectfully and Robert, who was holding the alleged messenger, faced Byakuya and Hisana.
"My lord, my lady," Robert nodded "this man claims to have information about an upcoming attack."
The man did not look at them. Instead, he kept his face low, as if the floor was way more interesting than the nobles in front of him.
"It will be highly uncomfortable to have a conversation like this," Byakuya pointed out "I appreciate to be looked at properly when speaking."
Robert grabbed the man by the back of his hair and forced him to raise his head. The man had black hair and pale skin, his temple and his lower lip were bleeding, and Byakuya assumed that he must've tried to reach him while ignoring the guards.
The man winced but when he opened his brown eyes there was no fear on his them, Byakuya would've commend him for his bravery, but it took him two seconds to realize why the man didn't look afraid at being in front of him.
The man was not looking at Byakuya, his eyes landed on Hisana and he gaped slightly while his eyes widened. Byakuya noticed how his eyes wandered from her face to the rest of her body and Byakuya decided that he had had enough.
Byakuya put himself in front of Hisana, blocking her from the man's view, and he unsheathed his sword.
"You came here to speak to me," Byakuya hissed "speak" he demanded as he pointed his sword at the man's neck.
Iburo and Kevin, and the rest of the guards, exchanged surprised glances at that. The man paled and the words came faster than what Byakuya expected.
"My name is Koichi," he introduced himself with a shaky voice "I am from a neighbor village, my lord, the province in which I live does not have a lord, we have been serving bandits in order to survive."
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. He had been given explicit orders not to interfere with foreign provinces, it wasn't his place, if humans wanted to destroy themselves then so be it… he had his own province for a reason.
"Life is not kind to us, but we have managed to have roofs over our heads and meals" Koichi whimpered "we do not need more."
Byakuya believed that only fools could be satisfied, but he kept quiet at that.
"But lately…" Koichi took a deep breath "a couple of men in hoods have been roaming around and they have been recruiting people."
"Recruiting?" Byakuya inquired.
Koichi nodded.
"My lord," he said while looking at Byakuya "these men… they want to seize both your province and the Shihouin province."
Byakuya scoffed.
"Is that so?" he asked amused, he would like to see them try.
Hisana peaked from behind Byakuya.
"The Shihoun Province? Hisana gasped worriedly "what do you mean? What are they planning?" she tried to walk towards Koichi but Byakuya held her hand warning her to stay beside him.
Judging for the murmuring of the staff around them they caught on quickly how Hisana was worried about her hometown.
Koichi blushed slightly at the sight of Hisana. He gulped because he wanted to stare openly, but Byakuya was still pointing with his sword at him and glaring menacingly.
"I… they… I mean! Who…?" Koichi was babbling while being unable to take his eyes off her.
Byakuya scoffed.
"Kill him" he ordered Robert.
That made Koichi snap out of it so he focused on Byakuya again.
"Wait!" he took a deep breath "three days from now both provinces will be attacked! They have another of those weapons that can take down your shields, they plan to attack in the middle of the night, a few hours after all the lanterns are off!"
Byakuya's eyes narrowed.
"You are the main target, there's a reward for your head!" Koichi told Byakuya.
Byakuya smirked at that.
"What about Shihouin Yoruichi?" Hisana asked.
Koichi looked at the floor.
"They want everyone at the Shihouin province alive," he said "women well, I think I do not need to explain why they want all of the women alive, especially Yoruichi Shihouin."
Hisana paled as a sense of dread invaded her.
"I would like to see anyone try to catch Yoruichi," Byakuya mentioned "but we cannot let anyone try, I won't tolerate other province leader as neighbor."
Hisana's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Byakuya with widened he praising Yoruichi? That meant a lot for her, a whole lot.
"That doesn't mean that I believe every single thing you say," Byakuya pointed out to Koichi "why coming all the way here to betray your own village and province?"
"My brother is among the ones that are planning the attack to your province, my lord" Koichi admitted with shaky breaths "I…"
"You want me to spare his life" Byakuya guessed.
Koichi nodded.
"Wouldn't that guarantee that he goes running towards the one targeting me after the attack?" Byakuya inquired, he found amusing how humans believed that they had a chance against him.
"That's why I am here today! To ask you to take us both prisoners!" Koichi begged/explained "save his life and we will both serve you, our village is beyond salvation at this point but…" he lowered his head to the point where it was almost touching the ground "I can still save my brother! He just doesn't know any other life!"
"And how exactly do you guarantee that he will serve me?" Byakuya asked.
"I've heard the rumors," Koichi muttered with a shaky voice "there's not a single person that is capable of standing against you after witnessing your power, my lord."
Byakuya smirked at that while Hisana tilted her head.
"Do you want me to scare your brother?" Byakuya chuckled.
"All that he needs is to behold you on the battlefield once," Koichi reasoned "he is not the type of man to side with the losing side."
Hisana blinked. That was quite the statement, and one that made her think, was Kuchiki Byakuya really that powerful? The Shihouin province was on amicable terms with him, but they were not precisely allies.
Was Hisana wasting an opportunity by rejecting his marriage demands? Would the marriage benefit both provinces?
Byakuya looked at Robert.
"Take him with Iburo and Kevin, have the maids prepare him a meal"he ordered.
Hisana was surprised at that, and by the looks of it so was Koichi.
"My lord?!" he asked surprised.
"Let me be clear," Byakuya said "I am certain that you are not lying, however if this is some kind of trap I will kill your brother right in front your eyes, did I make myself clear?"
"You will spare him?!" Koichi gasped.
"I will have to meet him first," Byakuya said "I make no promises, I will judge him once I meet him on the battlefield, you will be next to me so you can make sure that I don't kill him by mistake."
Koichi's lower lip trembled, but he nodded and bowed as deep as he could.
"You all heard him!" Byakuya told to his staff in a booming voice "warn the others and prepare yourselves, we will prepare a deffense and attack plan with Rober" he stared at them seriously "I want no casualties, no one is allowed to die."
"Yes, my lord!" the guards exclaimed.
Hisana noticed surprised how fast everyone moved around the estate, and she also noticed how the guards around the front garden took defensive poses as some other joined them.
Robert took Koichi with him and assured Byakuya that he would join him to prepare the defense plan soon.
Byakuya looked at Hisana then.
"Come with me," he ordered "we have something to discuss."
While Byakuya walked with Hisana back inside the staff on the front garden was on uproar, they were murmuring and while some were worried about the fight that was about to take place, they were also discussing another topic.
"A Shihouin! The lady is a Shihouin!" one of the guards said.
"She is worried about the Shihouin province!" another guard agreed "and wasn't the dress she was wearing the outfit from that province? Isn't that what women wear there?"
"It is!" A guard nodded "I'm going to the kitchen," he said "wait until the girls hear about this!"
The rest of the guards made sure that, by the time the day was over, every single person around the Kuchiki estate knew about this newfound information. Akie, Byakuya's head maid, didn't take the news well, she refused to believe them.
"You shouldn't listen to rumors," Akie advised to the maids in the kitchen "lord Byakuya never confirmed this."
"Oh, but if it's true it's wonderful!" Lucy giggled "the most powerful provinces together in marriage?! Isn't that great?!"
"It is," Stella nodded "we would also see a lot more of Yoruichi-sama around here."
Akie sneered at that. She had sent word to the village inquiring about the blue-eyed girl but no one had been able to give her information about her, now she would need to contact the Shihouin province and that was dangerous.
"Aren't you glad, Akie?" Lucy asked her "our lord has a gorgeous noble lady, isn't that what you wanted for him?!"
Stella smirked at Akie's discomfort.
"Get back to your chores," Akie advised annoyed "a battle is coming."
Lucy giggled as she walked out of the kitchen followed by Stella.
Hisana didn't know much about Byakuya, but even she could tell he was upset. He guided her towards his studio, and once they were both inside he closed the door behind them. Hisana stared warily at the empty cage hanging on his window, how come he hadn't gotten rid of it?
Byakuya noticed her tense pose.
"No need to get all apprehensive," he told her "don't you think that it would be safest for you to be inside the cage during the upcoming attack?"
Hisana paled as she stared at him.
"We have to warn Yoruichi!" she told him while taking confident steps towards him "this is no time to be joking?"
"I was not joking," Byakuya told her as he noticed how one single step would be enough to close the distance between them "if our defense falls, the cage will guarantee that no one will take you, no one will bother with kidnapping a bird."
Hisana raised an eyebrow.
"You did" she pointed out.
Byakuya chuckled.
"You fell next to me," he reminded her as he grabbed his chin softly "won't you get into the cage if I were to order you?"
Hisana pursed her lips stubbornly.
"Never," she swore and then sighed "I also don't have enough reiatsu to use that ability for the time being."
Byakuya frowned at that.
"You will have to hide during the attack" he said.
"I will not," Hisana retorted while slapping his hand away "I can be of use here, I can fight, are you sending a messenger towards Yoruichi? She needs to be aware of this!"
Byakuya shook his head.
Both provinces were in danger, but if he were to send a messenger to the Shihouin province Yoruichi wouldn't hesitate to take that person hostage and demand an couldn't allow that. Trading the future lady of the house for a servant would look horrible, not to mention that that would ensure that the staff around the Kuchiki estate would figure out that this was not a marriage for love.
But even more dangerous than that, was the fact that Hisana wouldn't stay still during the attack. That was unacceptable for Byakuya, he wouldn't be able to focus on the fight with Hisana on the battlefield, not to mention that he was planning on killing a lot of intruders that day and he didn't want Hisana to witness his bloodthirsty side yet.
"My lord?" Hisana questioned.
Byakuya sighed. If what he had heard regarding Yoruichi and Hisana was true, then Yoruichi would protect Hisana, and the blue-eyed woman would be happier with Yoruichi for now.
"You will go to the Shihouin province," Byakuya said as he took a step towards her "you will be the one to deliver the message."
Hisana gaped.
"Are you serious?" she asked hopeful "but I thought-!"
"I know that you will not come back on your own accord" Byakuya told her as took another step towards her.
Hisana nodded as she took a step back. She hit the wall behind her and gulped, what was he planning to do? Giving her the liberty of going back home didn't sound like him.
"You will deliver the message and, once you feel better and the threat has passed, I will bring you back" he swore as he trapped her against the wall by putting his hands on both sides of her head.
Hisana raised her chin defiantly.
"I will not come back! No matter how many times you ask!"
"I wasn't planning on asking" Byakuya informed her and it wasn't a lie.
He would go back for her, but once he were to do it he would offer her a deal, he would explain and he was certain that she would accept. Yoruichi's happiness depended on that, and besides, something about snatching Hisana from Yoruichi sounded extremely pleasant to him.
Hisana blushed angrily. So, what if he believed he could simply bring her back? It was not going to happen, she wouldn't go down without a fight if we were to try.
"When can I leave?" she asked.
"I will send you back immediately," Byakuya told her "do tell Yoruichi that if she tries to hide you I will rip her province apart house by house, tree by tree, family by family until I get you back."
Hisana paled.
"Don't you dare to threaten-!" her words were cut short because before she could speak further Byakuya had closed the distance between them.
Hisana blushed madly as Kuchiki Byakuya kissed her forehead.
"What…?" she whispered.
"Don't forget that you will eventually belong to me" Byakuya told her once the kiss was done.
Hisana wanted to argue but it was too late, everything went black before she could process what was happening.
Byakuya held her on his arms before she could fall and cursed the timing of the attacks, but this was what he had to do in order to protect both Hisana and his province.
He couldn't wait for the attacks, and for the moment of having her officially as his.
"Yoruichi-sama!" a servant called her "there's a carriage at the front gates!"
Yoruichi frowned as she finished her sparring session. A carriage? A visitor? She walked as her guards guided her to her gates, the maids and the other staff bowed as she made her way. Ever since Hisana had been taken by Byakuya, Yoruichi's mood had been unbearable, she couldn't stand a life without her sister.
Annoyed as hell, Yoruichi decided that if this visitor was bearing bad news she would simply kill him. She hadn't even decided to how to retrieve Hisana, she was busy as hell, so this would help her to blow some steam.
Once Yoruichi arrived at the front gates she eyed the carriage warily.
She couldn't feel threatening reiatsu coming from it, there was no horse nor rider nearby, who was sneaky enough to leave this in front of her estate without anyone noticing? It was a magnificent carriage, small enough for one person, but with golden details that gave away how this didn't belong to an average villager.
Yoruichi took a deep breath and, embracing herself for a surprise attack, she opened the door of the carriage and gasped surprised when she noticed who was inside.
"Hisana?!"
Hisana, her sister and best friend, was there. She was sleeping, surrounded by comfortable pillows and sheets and wearing a gorgeous kimono. There was a golden hairpin on her right hand and a note on the obi she was wearing.
Yoruichi could barely process the image so she took the note with trembling hands.
"Both of our provinces will be attacked within three days, prepare your guards and protect my fiancée. I will get her back once she recovers" - KB.
Yoruichi scoffed.
She didn't know which one was the biggest threat, the attacks that were about to take place or Kuchiki Byakuya claiming her sister as his.
"Aren't you a lucky one?" she muttered as she decided to take Hisana inside.
Things were getting interesting around the Shihouin province but for now Yoruichi was simply glad to have Hisana back.
Little did she know that it was for a small time.
Thank you for reading, let me know if you enjoyed the chapter! Kisses!