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Byakuya Kuchiki Unveiled: Chapter 4

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Bleach: Byakuya Kuchiki Unveiled

Chapter 4-- First Date


Certain he had detected a trace of high spiritual energy before it quickly disappeared; Byakuya gripped his sword's hilt as he stood close to Hisana's side while she secured the store's door.

He knew nothing of that shinigami's character. Would it truly surprise him if he'd returned believing he would find Hisana alone? No, it would not but he would not allow him free reign.

As they wended their way along the main street of Hanging Dog, Byakuya couldn't help but notice the constant movement of Hisana's head as she seemed to search the faces of everyone they passed. His only hope was that she was not searching for that shinigami; but then, why would she?

"Can you spare some change?" someone called out.

"Can you help me get something to eat?" someone else called.

"Do you have any money?" a resident questioned, running toward Hisana and grabbing her arm.

Slipping his hand around her waist, Byakuya pulled her toward him as he eyed him sternly. If he were not afraid of injuring Hisana in the process, he would have released his spiritual pressure to frighten them off. That had always been a technique used by shinigami to keep the residents at bay.

Midway down the road, Byakuya spotted a quaint little restaurant that provided seating for them to eat. Other than a few shinigami, the place was empty, except for the staff. It wasn't difficult to determine why.

Leading the way toward the rear of the eatery, Byakuya held her chair as Hisana smiled at him and took a seat.

Byakuya ordered some misu soup, domburi tempura, and fresh sushi with wasabi paste.

"That shinigami," Byakuya began as their food was served. "Who was he?"

"Don't you know? Aren't you both shinigami?" Hisana asked, eyeing his attire.

"I don't know all shinigami," Byakuya confessed. "Is he a friend of yours?"

"I thought he was," Hisana said, her eyes drooping sadly. "He started coming here earlier this year. He used to buy a few small things, but several weeks ago from the way he spoke to me; I realized he thought if he spent money at the store, he somehow believed he could also buy my services."

"Buy your services?" Byakuya narrowed his gaze.

She studied him with saddened eyes as if afraid to explain further. "But he didn't seem to realize it didn't matter how much money he spent. He wasn't paying me; he was paying the store owner; though I suppose he thought it was me," she said, apparently searching for an explanation. "I still got only the few kan I made as salary. And even if I didn't, that was not the afterlife I wanted."

"His behavior is uncustomary for a shinigami," Byakuya considered out loud. "Such acts are against the shinigami code."

"And you say that because you think I encouraged him?"

"No, I… I'm just trying to…"

"Well perhaps that's true among shinigami, but I'm just a…" she refused to continue.

Byakuya hoped it wasn't because she thought he looked down on her.

"I don't know what he's used to but I can't imagine why he would think I'd be interested in the kind of existence he was proposing."

"What do you know about him?" Byakuya asked determining to resolve the issue for her. "Do you know his name, or squad?"

"His squad no, but he did say his name was Hatsune Michio."

Byakuya considered that; he couldn't recall having ever heard of the Hatsune family. If he was not a member of one of the great noble houses, perhaps he was a member of the lower ones who generally entered into servitude; or perhaps he was a reformed human who had been graced with sufficient spiritual energy enabling him to become a shinigami.

"Does he bother you frequently?"

She didn't immediately respond, but her eyes reflected a reluctance to say anything further. "He's gotten more aggressive recently, but I would say it's nothing more than I can handle."

"More than you can handle? You shouldn't have to handle anything from him."

"No, but he doesn't seem to have very honorable ethics, at least not as far as I'm concerned. I have told him to leave me alone, but he does not seem to hear."

"He hears," Byakuya assured her. "But I don't believe he wants to listen."

"I suppose you're correct, but I don't understand why."

"There are many things that occur that we'll never understand," Byakuya said remembering what his grandfather had told him after his parent's death in that battle to defend the Seireitei.

She sighed heavily and changed the subject. "So what is your story, Byakuya Kuchiki?"

"I have no story," Byakuya stated frankly.

"Then tell me why you're here."

"You mean here with you now?" Byakuya questioned, knowing full well she knew why he had come before.

"Yes."

"The things you said yesterday struck a chord in me and I…"

"I'm sorry about that," she interrupted. "It's just that I'm haunted by past regrets about things that I hope to change. But there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it."

"What regrets?"

"It doesn't matter."

Whatever it was, Byakuya could see the mere thought of it saddened her greatly; so he decided not to press it for now.

Byakuya and Hisana engaged in light, entertaining conversation as they finished their meals.

As he watched and listened to her, the future Kuchiki clan leader knew his thoughts were spinning in a manner inappropriate for someone of his station. He had never had such thoughts about anyone. But he saw a delicate fragility in her. As a shinigami, it was his sworn duty to protect all reborn souls. But for reasons unknown to him, he specifically felt a need to protect and keep this one safe, but there was something else -- a lonely innocence he saw in her eyes that stirred something more. No, Hisana was not a noble. She was not even a shinigami, but one thing Byakuya knew was that he wanted to do what he could to both protect and keep her safe.

After finishing and paying for their meals, Byakuya and Hisana rose and approached the door.

"Goodnight Byakuya-sama." Hisana began with a gentle bow as she turned to leave. "You are a true gentleman; dinner was wonderful; I thank you."

"I will walk you home."

"Home? No, that's not necessary, I can find…"

"I will not hear of it. You must think nothing of my honor if you believe I will allow you to return home alone at this hour."

"But…"

"But nothing. I will walk with you," Byakuya asserted

"If you insist."

"I do," he replied. "So where do we go?"

"Back to the store."

"The store?" Byakuya questioned. He didn't really know what to think of that. He knew enough about the Rukon district to know most of the residents resided in the streets. Had they not already seen that as they walked to the restaurant? But would she be any safer in the store?

"Yes. I stay in a room in the back."

"I see," he said with the full intention of investigating the security of this room upon his return.

Emerging under the darkened night skies, Byakuya was convinced he was once more sensing that spiritual energy that was becoming familiar to him. But without a sign of the shinigami anywhere, the future Kuchiki clan leader was convinced he was attempting to both conceal himself as well as his presence.  

"Do you like to walk?" Byakuya asked, not putting it past the shinigami to attempt to attack in the blind. If so, he wanted to ensure he had sufficient space in which to fight.

"There is nothing to do here, but walk," Hisana stated. "And without the spiritual energy you shinigami possess, we cannot fly."

"We cannot fly either," Byakuya corrected. "Depending upon our level of spiritual power, we are simply capable of manipulating the spiritual particles around us giving the appearance that we have defied gravity."

"Whatever it's called, it's considerably more than I can do."

Byakuya smiled at her. He couldn't help but wonder if she wished she had the spiritual power of a shinigami. But he knew it was likely because she'd entered the Rukon district as an adult and her reborn body had not been able to absorb the reishi here. Is that why she'd thought they all had entitlements because of the things they were capable of doing?

As they begin to walk and talk, Byakuya tried to find out what she would rather do if not work in the store. He noticed however that once more she seemed to become absorbed in searching every face as they moved. Was she afraid of encountering that shinigami again?

"Hisana," he began. "You need not worry while I am here. I will protect you."

She flashed those beautiful eyes toward him. "Byakuya-sama, I want you to know it was truly not my intent to offend you yesterday," she said in a quiet voice. "It's just that I've found people are funny, even almost to their own detriment," she said rather sadly. "When our loved ones are close to us, we ignore them or take them for granted. But let us lose them, make one foolish mistake and we have more regrets than we can possibly stand."

Byakuya looked down as she strolled beside him. Her words did not fill him with a sense of calm. He could sense a great pain emanating from her. It was similar to what he believed he'd felt that first day. "What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing you would be interested in or would care to know."

"Did you cause your death?"

"Why would you ask that?" she demanded, her shoulders suddenly stiffening defensively.

"You sound as if you miss someone dear to you," Byakuya ventured, not exactly sure what he was reading from her; but going by what she was saying, he was certain she missed someone or something. "Like you did something you regret. But whatever it was, it seems to consume your every thought."

Her beautifully blue-violet eyes grew heavy and thoughtful as she seemed to search her own mind for a response. "I remember some parts of my previous life, but I don't remember how I died. I just remember that we woke up in this horrible place that's not fit for an animal to live in and where everyone fights for food and water. You can't take care of yourself, let alone anyone else," she said.

"We?" Byakuya asked, certain he detected a note of deep sadness in her voice that went beyond the devastation one usually experienced in the Rukongai; but he wasn't sure since he had never lived there. He could tell by simply looking, that this was no place to live, but he didn't know if it just had a way of simply hardening everyone's heart.

"Well doesn't everyone just wake up here? I can't imagine anyone would choose to come."

"No, I don't suppose so," Byakuya conceded taking in the surroundings. Though he might not like the appearance of things, he knew it was against the rules of the Seireitei for any shinigami to do anything to effect changes. The souls here came and left so frequently and their existence here was simple a reflection of their previous lives.

"Are you looking for someone?" Byakuya asked finally. "You need not concern yourself with that shinigami. I will take care of him if he returns."

"You are very confident, aren't you? Do things always go the way you want?"

"I make every attempt to ensure things go as they should."

She simply seemed to dismiss his words as she turned to him and asked "What's it like to be a shinigami?"

"Though I belong to a military force; like yours, it is a job. But I take it very seriously," Byakuya stated with confidence. "There are thirteen different squads each containing shinigami of various skills and levels. Our main responsibilities are to protect and defend the Seireitei as well as the Rukon districts and its people."

"Let's go this way" Byakuya said pointing to his left. "It is a longer route, but I believe there is a lovely meadow in that direction."

"Yes, there is, but I'm surprised you know that. Have you been in this area often?"

"Apparently not enough, or I've always been in the wrong places since it's taken me this long to meet you."

Byakuya saw a blush saturate her features as she turned away. He smiled as the sight warmed his heart, but it had already heated toward her as they ate.

"Oh how beautiful. The lilacs are in full bloom," Hisana said rushing toward the nearest tree and reaching up to grasp one of the vibrant purple blossoms, but even on tip toes, her height was too short to reach.

Byakuya approached and reached up to grab one, then placed it behind her ear.

His closeness apparently unsettled her and Hisana shifted her position awkwardly to place space between them, but her nervousness simply caused her to fall against him.

"Forgive me, Byakuya-sama. I lost my footing."

"No, don't apologize; are you all right?" Byakuya asked steadying her.

"Yes, thank you." As she moved away, the hem of her skirt snagged on a low branch causing her already worn dress to tatter slightly. "Ouch," she said bending forward to dislodge it.

"You're injured." Byakuya stated, noticing some slight bleeding from where the branch had scratched her leg as he bent forward to assist her. "I'm sorry," he said. "Sit down and stretch out your leg," he began. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you," he added noticing her hesitancy as he kneeled and uttered a basic Kidō to heal her wound.

"Oh, it's gone," Hisana said as her blood was reabsorbed into her body and the wound disappeared. "You can do that?" she said rubbing her hand against her now healed wound.

"I am not a medical expect, that's just basic Kidō that can be performed by any shinigami," Byakuya responded dismissively.

"Thank you," she replied attempting to rise to her feet. Byakuya rose and assisted her once more.

When they returned to the store the future Kuchiki clan leader was certain he sensed that high degree of spiritual pressure nearby, before it quickly disappeared. He was beginning to believe the constant appearance and disappearance of that shinigami's spiritual energy, was an indication that it was not Hisana, but himself being targeted now. Whether that Hatsune realized it or not, Byakuya would have no problem showing him the error of his ways.

"What is it?" Hisana asked noticing his cautiously alert status.

"Nothing," he responded, unwilling to alarm her as he followed her into the store.

"Do you stay here?" Byakuya ask pulling back the heavy drapes that covered a door to a back room.

Hisana reached inside and flipped a switch to illuminate the space.

It was nothing more than a storage room with a makeshift bed in one corner and a single bulb dangling from the ceiling. Byakuya was not impressed by what he saw. There was a half empty jug of water. No kitchen or bath.

"Are you content staying here?" he asked though knowing she would likely dismiss his inquiry.

"It is much better than staying in the streets," she said turning to move back to the front of the store.

"This place is not particularly secure, you know that don't you?" Byakuya inquired.

"It's not, but I've had no problems thus far."

"Well it could be more suitable, if all the boxes were on the same side of the room."

"Perhaps, but they are too heavy for me to move."

"I'll make a few adjustments to give you more space," Byakuya said as he uttered a Kidō spell. "Hado number 1 Shō," he repeated several times as he pointed his finger, causing the large clothing boxes to slide across the room. "That's not much, but it's better than it was," he said.

"Thank you Byakuya-sama," Hisana said glimpsing her new space.

"If you were capable of performing Kidō, I would place a mirror door around this room to ensure your safety at night."

"Why? Do you think that's really necessary?"

"You said it yourself. Hatsune doesn't seem to have very honorable ethics," Byakuya stated, believing it was Hatsune's spiritual pressure he had sensed when Hisana had closed before as well as just recently. "And then you said he'd become more aggressive lately."

As they continued their conversation, Byakuya searched the store and found a simple, yet beautiful violet women's yukata with lavender blooms sprinkled across it with a matching lavender sash. He handed it to her. "Will you wrap that?"

"Of course. This is quite lovely. Is it another family member's birthday as well?" Hisana asked draping the yukata across her arm.

"No, there are no female members in my immediate family; they have all died."

"I'm sorry," she said reaching for a box, some tissue and purple paper, along with matching ribbons and bows.

"You need not be; it has been so long now."

"That will be 5,720 kan," she said reaching for a shopping bag once she'd finished wrapping the yakuta.

Taking the bag, Byakuya reached inside the sleeve of his kimono and pulled out several large bills.   "This is for you," he said handing the package back to her, despite knowing it was against protocol for any shinigami to assist the residents of the Rukon district in such a manner. "I hope you will accept it, but this is not because I do not wish to spend time with you. This is to accent your beautiful eye color."

"I can't accept this," Hisana quickly protested.

"Why ever not? Your dress has been damaged and I feel responsible."

"You were not responsible; I simply lost my footing," she stated embarrassed. "Besides, you've already been too good to me by treating me to dinner," she said. "We barely know each other; so I can't accept gifts from you as well."

"Is that another of your rules?"

"My rules? You're a shinigami, isn't it one of yours?"

"Not my rules," Byakuya declared, despite knowing it was a rule essentially pledged to by all shinigami. "Yesterday you declared we should spend time with those we care about. Are you now saying we cannot accept gifts from those we do not know intimately?"

"You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"I would never do that," Byakuya declared with a smile. "But one of my rules is that if I wish to purchase something for those I care about, I do and I would be very unhappy if you did not accept it."

She stared into his eyes with a great deal of uncertainty before reaching for the package. "This is truly beautiful," she said. "Thank you, but it is too good for this area."

"But it is not too good for you," Byakuya smiled again. "I shall depart now, but I will return tomorrow," Byakuya offered reluctantly. "If you have any further trouble with that shinigami Hatsune, tell me and I will take care of him."

"Take care of him how?"

"Whatever he deserves," Byakuya stated flatly.

"No, you cannot injure him for my sake," Hisana stated with an almost wide-eyed panic.

Byakuya moved closer toward her and cupped her chin in his palm. "You need not concern yourself. If he touches or otherwise injures you again in any manner, he would deserve nothing less."

Despite having established a more comfortable environment for her to sleep, Byakuya had concerns about leaving her alone and so, he didn't. Instead, after bidding her goodnight, he flashed stepped to the top of the roof and suppressed his spiritual energy as he waited. He didn't know when or if that shinigami would return. He knew only that he wanted to be here when he did.

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Over the next few days, Byakuya had returned to the Rukon district every night after concluding his business at the Seireitei. On several occasions during the day, he had made the attempt to locate that shinigami, Michio Hatsune, during his free time to warn him to stay away from Hisana. But that task proved more difficult than he would have thought despite being able to eliminate the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th division squads.

These he'd been able to eliminate because he knew he was not in his squad or head captain Yamamoto's squad. Head Captain Yamamoto had only one squad member -- Lieutenant Sasakibe. He'd also been able to eliminate both the 2nd and 4th divisions because Hatsune had not worn the customary uniform of the Onmitsukidō or of the medical personnel.

Though Hatsune had proved difficult to locate in the Seireitei, Byakuya had no problem locating him in the Rukon district. In fact, he was able to do that before the end of the week, when once more he found him inside Hisana's store. From outside, he could hear her pleading with him to leave.

"Shinigami Hatsune," Byakuya demanded when he'd entered. "What are you doing?"

The above image is called The Lilacs are in Full Bloom and was created by :iconcric: for this chapter, which was originally supposed to be part of the previous chapter, but I didn’t have everything clear in my head so I split it.

A/N: Okay, in upcoming chapters I will whiz through the days like I did in the last part because my intent is just to show that Byakuya had fallen in love with Hisana quickly, but I don’t want to draw it out. I really do think it was a whirlwind romance, though. And I have other things planned that I want to cover.

I hope you enjoyed.

donburi tempura -- There are a good variety of Donburi gohan (a bowl of steamed rice) recipes with vegetables, egg, beef, chicken, pork and Tempura in Japanese kitchens. and fresh sushi with wasabi paste.
Gotei 13 -- Goteijūsantai; 13 Division Imperial Guards, 13 Court Guard Squads
Kido -- demon path, a type of sorcery. There are three main types of Kidō used by shinigami: binding spells, destruction spells, and healing spells
Miso soup -- (misoshiru) is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which softened miso paste is mixed.
Reishi -- sometimes called Spiritrons, are the fundamental particles which make up all spiritual things
Sushi -- is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice (shari) combined with other ingredients (neta). Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari. The most common neta is seafood.
Wasabi is Japanese horseradish. It is most famous in form of a green paste used as condiment for sashimi (raw seafood) and sushi Yukata -- is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton.


Chapter 1: Byakuya’s Pride
Chapter 2: Opening Up
Previous: Chapter 3: 57 Years Ago
Next: Chapter 5: Initial Confrontation
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