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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 25, 2016 18:41:44 GMT -6
"A Nobel Outing": (continued) Saya returned his bow with a warm smile, wearing a soft pink, silken kimono with a faded wildflower pattern. Tying her kimono together was a pink obi that was a few shades brighter than the kimono and had dark pink flowers scattered across it that seemed to pop out against the bright pink of the obi's background. Underneath her kimono was a solid white one.
Saya motioned with her hand toward the sitting room as Koko slid the door for them to enter. Being the gentleman that Buyakuya is he offered his arm to her as the two walked into the room together. Tea for the two of them was already prepared just waiting for their arrival and to be poured into the cups.
"I had Koko prepare one of the teas you gifted to me."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 26, 2016 14:35:11 GMT -6
“That is more than acceptable, if that is how you wish to use them. They were given to you to enjoy as you wish.” He turned to the painting in the hallway again. “Did you do this one as well? Or was it…” he paused and then chose to continue, “a gift? The lines are bolder than your work this afternoon.”
Saya's head shook lightly. "No I did not, and in sorts I guess you could call it a gift. Makino painted that a few years before the takeover of Sou--" Saya looked from the painting to Byakuya her free hand over her mouth and a bow of her head. "I apologize Byakuya-sama. I should not have brought that up."
"You suffered worse than my family did at that time," Byakuya replied quietly. "If you wish to bring it up, there is no reason to apologize. Rukia has recovered. And I will not run away from what happened." He paused. "It must have been wonderful to share something with your daughter besides your duty."
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 26, 2016 19:17:58 GMT -6
Saya nodded with a warm smile as the two sat down at the table, Saya sitting first, Byakuya sitting next to her. Koko was already pouring their tea. She stood and looked to both.
"Is there anything else I can get for you ma'am before dinner?"
Saya looked to Byakuya as he then looked to Koko dismissing her. Saya nodding to confirm the action. Once she had left the room Saya turned her attention back to Byakuya as she lifted her cup from the table.
"So how long have you been with the Gotei 13, Byakuya-sama?" She brought her cup to her lips taking a sip, sitting her cup back to the table without a sound.
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 26, 2016 20:46:10 GMT -6
“I joined the Gotei when my grandfather deemed me ready for the family position,” the high noble replied.
“Not your father?”
“My father died in battle…. He also was not deemed to have a strong warrior spirit. Therefore, the clan left my training to my grandfather and he did not believe I had completed the the necessary training until a few years later. He then retired and I became captain of the Sixth Division. That was my first duty given to me by my clan."
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 26, 2016 20:50:57 GMT -6
"Was your Grandfather a Captain of the Gotei as well?" Saya asked him.
Byakuya nodded and lifted his cup to take a sip. "He was the captain of the Sixth Division before me. He would not allow my father to replace him, but over time, he approved of his son's son. Due to his personal training."
She picked up her cup once more gazing into the golden liquid. She looked up with a soft smile. "I fear that is what Makino is trying to get away from. Since her fathers passing and being the only one that has not wed or had children of her own her Grandfather has gotten rather critical of her." She lifted her cup taking a sip, her cup slowly sitting back to the table. "Since she has joined the academy her Grandfather has gotten only worse with her."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 26, 2016 21:35:14 GMT -6
Byakuya nodded before looking down into his own cup of tea, savoring the mint and lemon aroma rising from the warm water, considering what to say. “Your daughter…. will have to make her own decision there. Accept the consequences. And….” he closed his eyes, “not turn a blind eye to any mistakes that come from bridging the gap between their designs….. and her own wishes.”
He fell silent for a few minutes, recalling how close his pride had cost him the last of his emotions.
“I pray that her punishment for attacking her fellow student will be the only lesson she will need to learn.”
In an effort to distract himself from his own sobering reminders, he met Saya's eyes again. "Was she close to both of you before his passing?"
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 26, 2016 21:53:36 GMT -6
Saya nodded, "yes. She was the youngest. Mine and and my late husbands last. She was spoiled because she was the only girl out of the five children. We talked of having another to pull her out of that." A weak smile crossed her lips. "But it never seemed to happen. Either because we were too busy or the Gods just did not foresee more than five children in our life."
She then giggled softly. "But Maki-chan--I believe was trained better than any of our boys. Her brothers and her father wanted her to be able to defend herself. Not be like other women that were defenseless or could only reach a certain point in their powers and still be over powered by a man. They trained her like they were trained. There was not a moment they let up on her. It took me years to get her to act like a lady and not a boy, and it was a fight to the end. It was so bad at one point and time, everyone believed we had five boys."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 26, 2016 22:04:10 GMT -6
Byakuya chuckled. "Well, she is attacking her fellow students without any hesitation, so if you wished to prove her strength, I do believe you succeeded." He drank from his cup again. "May I ask as to how you managed to bring the lady in her to the surface after she had decided to be another son?"
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 26, 2016 22:17:14 GMT -6
Saya giggled a sparkle in her eyes. "A boy believe it or not. It is rather amazing what the opposite sex can do for one when you find someone that strikes your interest." She folded her hands to her lap, her eyes on Byakuya.
"A fine young man of Noble blood. They were to be married after his first year in the Gotei 13." She lowered her head. "But the Gods decided something different." She lifted her head slowly looking into his eyes. "He was lost to Makino in the Winter War."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 26, 2016 22:57:50 GMT -6
Byakuya dipped his head. “So she has lost her father and a fiancé….. That makes her personal struggle to find peace over her father’s death fiercely difficult.” He sighed. “I apologize. This is not something I should discuss. It has only been scant years since your loss.”
Saya reached across the table resting her hand to Byakuya's arm as she shook her head. "Do not worry about me. I have adjusted to the loss of my husband. I mourned his passing and I will do as he asked of me. I will move on and be happy." Her hand drew back slowly. "That is what he wanted. What he asked of me if he were to die before me. He did not want me to die with him, but live on for the both of us. To be happy. I will not lie to you. It was very hard the first two years, but seeing what his death has done to Makino." She sighed shaking her head once more. "I don't want her to have to worry about me. I have to be strong enough to help her if she needs me. Strong enough for the both of us."
It was Byakuya's turn to reach over, covering her withdrawing hand with his own. "Your daughter entering the academy is her trying to understand her loss, her belief that she can gain enough strength to prevent another tragedy from occurring. And I believe that your support of her taking that path is the sign she needs of your strength." He looked away. "But that can be a dangerous choice, too. To show her only strength. She could choose to hide her pain in order to be what you have become." He looked back at Saya. "Then again, I have a sister, not a child. It could be different."
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 27, 2016 0:52:40 GMT -6
Saya returned his smile. "I don't find them much different when they are an adult. They both need the love and support of their loved ones be they are child or sibling. Your sister is very luck to have you, Byakuya-sama." She patted Byakuya's hand that rested to hers. As they looked into one another's eyes, the door slid open and Koko stepped in her head bowed low.
"Please forgive the interruption, my Lady, but dinner is done."
Saya and Byakuya withdrew their hands as Saya nodded to her Lady in waiting. "Thank you, Koko, and there is no reason to apologize. We were only talking about family."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 27, 2016 14:06:32 GMT -6
Byakuya rose from the sitting table as the lady in waiting left, leaving the door open for them to follow. Holding out an arm for Saya, he escorted them towards the dining hall for the first few moments in silence. Before the compulsion to speak more on the subject they had started in the privacy of the sitting room became too irritating. As they neared the dining hall, he lowered his head just slightly to murmur something only she would hear. “She would have been better off if she had met you.” Moved |
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Aug 17, 2016 18:49:00 GMT -6
"An Unexpected Noble Visit":
Saya sat just outside the sitting area of her home, gazing out into the garden as she sipped at a warm cup of tea. She was pondering the news they had gotten a few days ago. It had caused quite the uproar at the Koriyama manor, not to mention her own home was shaken by this news as well. Two of the Soul Society pillars gone, their life force extinguished by a vile Ayakashi that belonged to none other than Sousuke Aizen and his right hand Vale Tervaden.
With the Noble families of Ukitake and Kyoraku grief-stricken and the other Noble families worried if they might be next, things were all up in the air in the Noble district. Putting the Masanobu Clan on duty around the clock. Not so much for protection of the Koriyama Clan, but for the district. However, they were not alone. The other Noble Clans hogoshazoku's were called on to join forces with the Masanobus to help keep watch for the protection of the district as well.
Saya sighed, her head shaking slightly as she looked down into her not lukewarm tea. A tea that was gifted to her by Byakuya. She looked back up and across the grounds once more. "I am sure he is very busy as well." She watched as a gentle breeze rustled the cheery trees, a few of the leaves catching the autumn wind and dancing across the grounds.
"I should go visit him tomorrow when I get the chance and give my condolences for his loss."
She sighed heavily again and set her tea cup beside her, turning to look over her shoulder when she heard the door slide open behind her. It was her eldest, Kin. She smiled warmly at him as he walked toward her.
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Post by Kin Masanobu on Aug 17, 2016 19:16:30 GMT -6
Walking up to his mother, he knelled beside her resting his hand to her shoulder as her chilled hand lifted and rested to the top of his. "Mother, you're like ice. How long have you been out here thinking?"
"Not long. Only since after dinner."
He removed his haori shaking his head in disapproval as he draped it over her shoulders. "The seasons are changing mother, you know the winds are no longer warm. You should have worn one of your shawls out."
She looked to her son, cupping his cheek with her hand. "You worry about me too much. I will be fine."
His hand covered hers that was to his cheek as he kissed the palm and held it in his to warm it. "Father is gone. Someone has to." He smiled brightly at her as she returned his gesture. He was about to speak again as the door slide open once more. His mothers lady in waiting bowing to the both of them.
"Master Masanobu. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki has arrived."
"Byakuya?" His mother asked.
"Yes, I invited him over. I owe him an apologize for my actions when he was here for dinner the other night." He then turned from his mother back to Koko, "thank you, Koko. Please tell him I will be with him shortly."
Koko nodded in return, stepping backwards, back into the house she closed the door leaving him and his mother alone once more.
Kin looked back to his mother releasing her hand after he sat it to her lap and pulled the haori around her better. He lifted slowly from his sitting position next to her. "I know you have a lot on your mind mother, but please do not stay out here much longer. We need you not to become ill."
She smiled at him as he slid the door open a small nod coming from her. "I will be in soon. I would like to give my condolences to the Captain for his loss."
Kin hummed softly as he looked at her. "Then come back into the sitting area. I will send Koko for you when we have finished." He watched his mother nod her head as she turned back to the garden view. He then turned and walked into the home leaving his mother there to think a moment longer.
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Aug 18, 2016 11:33:27 GMT -6
Dressed formally in a black kimono trimmed in white and his zanpakuto at his side, Captain Kuchiki waited in the ante-chamber, his eyes lowered from the painting on the wall. Tonight, he would return to his own estate in the noble district, and perhaps, he would find a moment of solitude to reflect on Ukitake and Kyoraku’s deaths. But even there, at this time, he knew his peace would be fleeting. Like the blossoms that surrounded his estate. Swirls of ethereal beauty that would fade as soon as the weather changed. For him, too, the weather had altered. The responsibilities on his shoulders, the burden of his birth and position, had grown overnight.
And would continue to.
Furthermore, Byakuya did not know when the Soul King would assign a new commander - but it had not taken long after Yamamoto’s death - and he had received the Soul King's blessing before - the healing he had received from Zero Squad. He was one of the possible heirs.
And that was something he couldn't question. Only wait for the word to come.
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