BLEAK

Chapter 8: Past Life, Past Love, Past Pain

"Alright... here's how my history with Byakuya began..."

-----------Enjoy the flashback chapter-----------------------

Soul Society; 200 years ago.........

"Madame Hisana, your parents request that you come to the sitting room." I was only 12 years old back then, rather young. My family was known as the Kusonarii's in the Soul Society, a clan that surprisingly had a lot of power for being so small. However, my parents had only had two girls as their future heirs, myself and my little sister: Ayane. Ayane was 3 and I was of course, 12. We were one of the great noble clans of the time due to our status. Another notable trait was that my mother, little sister and I all had fiery red hair- something that not too many nobles were known for having. I also had red eyes... 

So, I made my way to the sitting room, and my parents were sitting there, waiting for me to join them. Our sitting room was rather large with the family crest of the crane and cherry blossom as the center piece of the table that we were sitting at. There were a couple cups of sake and fresh green tea sitting before us. Across the table was a older gentlemen with a haiori coat, a sunflower silk gauze scarf and had strange hairpieces in. There was a boy around my age next to him with his hair tied back into a ponytail, held by a blue ribbon. He wore some type of noble clothing in a light blue and dark blue tone. His eyes were a light blue, tinted slightly with grey. They seemed full of wonder back then... 

"Hisana, this is Lord Kuchiki of the Kuchiki Clan and his grandson, Byakuya. Once you both turn 20... we are going to have you both marry to keep the clans going." I was only 12, so I didn't understand much of marriage. "What...? Grandfather why do I have to marry her? She's ugly and-!" Byakuya's grandfather stopped that sentence with a slap to the face. "I have taught you many things, Byakuya but you NEVER disrespect a lady. Now! Apologize." 

He looked at me and scoffed. "I'm sorry.."

I turned away, hurt by what he said still- even if he tried to apologize, I didn't find it to be genuine. 

I turned to both of my parents. "Mother, Father. I do not want to marry Byakuya. He's... not quite respectful, but I do at least wish to be his friend."

Byakuya's eyes lit up at the word: Friend. 

"Has he never had a friend before? Hm.. must be perhaps that he's always training at his grandfather's place... I wonder what happened to his parents?" 

I thought all of this to myself. "That is fine then, Hisana. We respect your choice." My father said. My father was also the former captain of Squad 5, but stepped down and his lieutenant, Shinji Hirako recently had become Captain and his former 3rd seat, Souske Aizen became lieutenant. 

So, my parents were basically part of the special ops, and Squad 0, but at the time, it was massively kept secret. 

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Overtime, Byakuya and I's friendship had grown, and about 4 years in the Soul Society had past. We were both almost 16 and were practicing training on his Grandfather's grounds. We were to be admitted into the Soul Society next year in Squad 5 and 6. Byakuya was eventually going to take over Squad 6, and I was set to take over Squad 5 IF I could reach Bankai. But I didn't even have my Shikai technique mastered yet. 

Byakuya came behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders gently. "You need to relax first." I sighed softly and relaxed my shoulders. "Now, say your zanpoktou's shikai release."

"Spread your wings and fly! Akuma no Tsubasa!" My zanpoktou changed into a scythe and had a long red ribbon from the end of the hilt. After all of this time, Byakuya had helped me gain my shikai! I withdrew my zanpoktou from that state and put it back in its sheath and I turned to Byakuya, smiling happily. 

"Thank you... You've really been a big help in all of this." Unfortunately, it started to rain then. Byakuya took my hand, and we took refuge on the porch. He didn't let go of my hand.

"Byakuya.." I blushed, and then he pulled me close to him in a tight embrace. Following, he cupped my cheek gently and then kissed me. "Hisana, I think I love you.." My eyes went wide in shock and my heart was racing faster than it ever had before. "I... love you.." 

When I was about to kiss him myself, I heard a scream from my home. 

"That was Mom!" I stood up, in worry. "Hisana! You shouldn't go over there by yourself! Something may happen if you do, I'll go with you." Byakuya followed me to my home and we were both grossed out by the sight. There was blood, virtually everywhere in my home. "H-Hello...?"

No response. 

Byakuya and I went into the sitting room where we met so many years ago. My father was slumped over the chair- dead. My little sister was in his embrace as trying to protect her. She was also dead. 

"Ah!" I heard a moan from my parent's room, and then a clatter from the window. "Byakuya, you go see who that is! I'll check on my mom." 

"Right away!" Byakuya ran outside and next thing I heard was what sounded like a clash, and someone running away. I hoped that Byakuya was okay. 

I ran into my parents room, and I saw my mother with her kimono undone almost completely at the top, and the bottom almost ripped the whole way off. She was struck multiple times and was bleeding profusely. "Hisana.. my dear.. I'm sorry we couldn't fight him off..."

"Who Mom? I'll kill him for what he did to you, Father, and Ayane!" 

"A-Aizen.. Souske Aizen.. He also said that he caused multiple soul reapers to get hollow masks and something was going to happen to them..." She coughed up blood, her time wasn't far off. "He did things to me.. but.. I don't want him to get you.. I'm going to do something that is.. forbidden in the soul society.. but I'm doing it to save you.. I'm using the last of my strength to preform a hado spell that will send you to the world of the living, and you're powers will be lost. You'll have no memories of who you were here... just remember that your father and I.. will always be watching over you, Hisana.." She smiled weakly. "Hado 89; Ningen-ka suru..." A flash a blue light enveloped me, sending me down." 

"I love you.." She smiled as she took her last breath, and Byakuya came charging in. He screamed something and tried to save me, but.. he was too late. 

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"...Then, that's when I came to in the Human World, not knowing a thing but my name.. and.. I don't remember who helped  me there or took me in, but that's where I met you, Ichigo." 

"So this Aizen person killed your family, caused a pandemonium in the soul society, and supposively became a captain? Wow..." 

Ichigo and Ganju didn't know what to say, but then Ikkaku crawled up to Ichigo. "Hey, Ichigo.. wherever you go next, be careful. Especially if you run into my Captain on your way to the Repentance Cell. He's looking for the strongest out of all of you to fight, and my guess that's you. Just be careful. He's hard to beat in battle.." 

"Thank you, Ikkaku." 

We then headed on our way to the Repentance Cell.