Bleak: Retell

Chapter 18: Laughter and Forgetting

A few days later, I made my way to the soul society's general clinic. Byakuya was there, resting up since the whole events of Aizen's defection. I arrived at the front desk, speaking to the receptionist nurse. "Name?"
"Kuchiki, Byakuya."
"Ah, Captain Kuchiki.. he's in room 7067."
"Thank you..."
I head up that way, and while I am, Aizen's voice for some reason kept echoing in my head. "I'll be back for you, Hisana.."

I wasn't going to let that happen, no matter what. I refused to let Aizen into my life in any way!
Soon, I had arrived outside Byakuya's room. I knocked on the door. "Enter."
"Bya-Kun, it's me."
Byakuya turned my way and his eyes slightly widened and softened. "Hisana...and you even called me by that nickname you called me when we were younger" I sat down in a chair beside his bed and handed him a bento plus some konpeito that I had gotten for him. "How are you feeling?"
"Still a little achy, but I'm doing okay. It warms my heart that I got to see you." He smiled, gently braising his hand against my cheek.
"Me too. If I could, I'd keep staying here until you're better."
Byakuya smiled more at my words. "You always know how to make me smile, Hisana."
"I try to, at least." I giggled.
A slight gust of wind blew into the room. "These days always make me think of when I first had seen you."
"Wait." I was shocked to hear this. "You saw me before we had met through my parents and your grandfather?"
"Yes. I actually was going by your house one day and saw you training."
I blushed, slightly hiding my face. "Really?"
Byakuya let out a small chuckle. "Yes. I will admit that I was smitten. By that red hair and those red eyes of yours."
"A key trait of the Kusonarii clan's women!" I said in a jokingly manner.
"Well, it's beautiful. You're beautiful, Hisana." Byakuya smiled, his eyes reflecting radiating pure happiness. I learned in, kissing him on the cheek.
He did the same, but then kissed me directly on my lips. "I should have done that a week ago."
He grins, laughing. "You always deserve to be loved and cared for. I'm so sorry I was such a jerk to you.. I was so preoccupied with honoring my family and honoring the law of the soul society. I didn't realize before that you were incredibly important to me. You still are. And you always will be, Hisana."
"Byakuya.." I was stunned due to his words. It wasn't in a negative way either. I felt that I was incredibly moved by what he had said.
"I love you, so much." We both ended up saying at the same time, to only break out into laughter.
"When do you get out?" I turned to Byakuya, gently brushing my hand against his.
"About a week. I still have to take it slightly easy, but.. that's okay."
"I'll help you around if you need it."
"I'll probably be okay once that comes around."
"You sure?"
"I'm a Kuchiki, I can handle it."
"Alright."
A few hours later, a nurse walked into the room. "Miss Kusonarii?"
"Hm?"
"Visiting hours are ending. I am sorry but you'll have to leave for the night."
"Okay, no worries."
I got up, kissing Byakuya before leaving and headed outside.  I was glad that Byakuya would be getting out soon, but I was worried as well either whatever Aizen's plans would be. Regardless, I was hoping we'd all be ready to fight him.

("Running like a horse between the trees
The ground beneath my feet
Gives me something to hold on to
With the reins around my heart
Guided by hands that spread life before my very eyes
Well every hope falls down on its knees in time
But I'm no longer lost
Every day, every second, every hour in time
Love's my only guide
Are these the years of laughter and forgetting?")
-"Laughter and Forgetting" by David Sylvian