ajremix: (deep)
[personal profile] ajremix
Title: On Black Velvet Sky
Fandom: Bleach
Rating: PG-13 for… very vague sex?^^;;
Word Count: 1438
Characters: Byakuya, Hisana
In Response to: [livejournal.com profile] bleach_exchange and [livejournal.com profile] dark_malignity
Summary: Byakuya returns from work. Hisana makes him comfortable.




Light fluttered over her hands, pale fingers weaving the night. Hisana bowed her head, meditating at the gold threads that she pulled through the black velvet upon her lap. Needlework was ingrained into her, the elegant and inspired craftsmanship kept her alive during the foreboding years in the depths of the Rukongai. The time spent to create these masterpieces kept her from living comfortably but the call of the thread still thrummed in her. She felt the grace of the cranes’ flight in her mind, the gentle curling of clouds and a lone, withered tree, strong and alive upon the cliff side.

These creations, caught on cloth, were the only ones to welcome Hisana as she occupied the most unobtrusive corner, caught in the silk web of the Kuchiki household. The servants were as dutiful to her as they could be to any of their masters though sometimes she was chastised by the older servants.

“No, Lady Kuchiki,” they’d tell her, “you needn’t deal with dishes. That is for us to do.”

“Lady Kuchiki, if you wished to bathe, please alert one of the servants. They will prepare your bath for you.”

“You mustn’t go out on your own, Lady Kuchiki. There are others to do the shopping.”

“I’m sorry Lady Kuchiki. It isn’t fitting for someone of my stature to be so familiar with you.”

They were kind to her though in her heart Hisana felt herself no better than they. Try as she might, Hisana didn’t feel herself fit to be amongst the noble women and she knew much of the family felt the same. And so she took to spending her days, threads and needles arched about her as she turned bolts into tales. She snipped at the thread and began to line the crane’s crested head and flash of wings with red. On the velvet the sun was setting, lighting the clouds and tree on fire, making the tall grass glimmer.

Somewhere far from her Hisana heard several footsteps and the murmur of servants, eager to be ordered. She straightened under the weight of the velvet, watching the fine alabaster of the screen. A word was uttered, sharp, authoritative but weary. Hesitantly the servants acquiescent, shuffling respectfully away, leaving Hisana alone with the dark, candlelight and dignified noise.

She waited, listening to the shifts in the other room, extinguishing her only means of light as another flared in adjacent to her, scattering the dark creatures that lurked about, his shadow a striking display upon the thin wall. Slowly Hisana crawled to the door, placing her hand lightly on the frame, as if the act were a disturbance.

“My lord,” she said into the partition at her lips, “Byakuya-sama. Do you wish to be alone?”

His profile turned, noble and sharp and she could feel his words resonate through the wood of the household. “Hisana. Enter.”

Wood whispered in their grooves and Hisana knelt before her husband. “Byakuya-sama, shall I help you prepare for bed?” Though he didn’t reply, the man paused enough for a grateful smile before he knelt at his table.

“I am afraid there will not be time for bed.”

“But Byakuya-sama,” the woman- like a bird bowing to the ground –reached out to brush her fingers against his twilight sleeve, “you must rest.”

“There is too much work to be done.”

“How terrible.” But Hisana stood all the same, her hands sliding across the silk scarf curled around Byakuya’s shoulders. “Do they care so little for their captains as to work one to death before he lasts his first year?”

Again he smiled softly, allowing her pull the material from him. He heard her fold it carefully, laying it reverently on the table. “A captain must be prepared to give all that he can to his division. He must never lag behind for even a moment. Even if that may mean working himself to exhaustion.”

Hisana smiled, pale hands on the fine curve of his kenseikan. She unhooked them, brushing out the dark fall of hair with her fingers, watched how they twined together. “Byakuya-sama works so hard.” She said softly. And in the lapsing quiet she worked, undressing her husband, disturbing him as little as possible. As he studied the papers before him she ghosted his proud captain’s robe from his shoulders, making pointed touches to his elbows so that she may slip his arms free of his uniform and again to drape his sleeping yukata over his frame.

Dutifully she checked over the pristine uniform before placing the folds in the closet and even there the presence of Byakuya chased back the shadows. The wings of his bedding unfurled below Hisana’s hands, smoothing and shaping it as surely as golden cranes. She worked to the rhythm of Byakuya’s brush, the soundless wisps dictating the spread of the blanket, the strokes easing out the creases of folds.

The wick wore on, dancing shadows congregating about the room. Hisana stood behind her husband, running fine ivory teeth through thick midnight, Byakuya’s hair lying soft in her hands. Light flickered in its well and Hisana brushed on, as mesmerized in the act of brushing as with the act of sewing; creating a beautiful masterpiece and watching it flow in her hands.

A hand came up and enclosed around her fingers and the handle in bone and skin and soft heat. “Hisana,” the man said softly and then nothing else. Her hand brushed against his cheek and he kissed the fine knuckles, lips dry and gentle.

She loved him. Not as deeply as her heart wished, weighed down with her own failings and regrets- a netted heron crying for freedom beyond the flat cage of the fields –but she loved her husband dearly. It felt like down, the thickness of his hair as it pressed against her cheek. “Byakuya-sama,” Hisana whispered into his ear, “come to bed.”

Hisana drew him to the bed, drew him to her and Byakuya could not pull himself away. He marveled at her fragility and benign smile, at how her strength was in her kindness. He brushed back the wave of ebony silk from his wife- too good, too kindhearted –and pressed his lips to the underside of her jaw. He felt her flutter beneath his lips, his own heart fluttering in kind.

This was the woman he loved above all else, staking the pride of the Kuchiki on her lovely elegance. He worshiped her as he had nothing before. He knew not how to woo and respect a woman, knew only the propriety of his station but breached the precious etiquette of his forebears time and again for they did not make this moonlit skinned beauty happy.

She unfurled beneath him and Byakuya’s hands moved over her, shadows flittering like a flock soaring over the land. He loved her till his heart broke and her heart broke to love him. But the joy and awe writ so clearly over him as he moved over her- every time so surprised that she opened herself up to him –gave Hisana the strength to believe she could truly love him. She believed one day her heart could bare its weight enough to let her love for him grow and strengthen.

The shadows grew and deepened, but they felt of warm velvet when they crawled over her skin, felt of wet tongue and moist sweat, smelled of heat and strained breathing and freedom they yearned to find in each other. Hisana tightened around him, desperate to feel his reassurance pressed against her as she cried softly. Her voice broke over the room like the sweetest of winds, fresh and clean and Byakuya couldn’t seem to get close enough. He held her close, ached for her, the shape of her name filling his mind and his tongue.

A thousand wings crashed in Hisana’s ears, eyes filled with the color of blinding bright gold and red, glowing so fast as to be white. Her heartbeat thrummed through her body, resonating with Byakuya’s as they lay twined together. Hisana’s hand slipped over the trembling strength of Byakuya’s shoulder.

“My lord Byakuya-sama,” like the whisper of trees, “you will be no less a man or captain if you allow yourself time to rest.”

“My lady Hisana,” like clouds drifting in wind, “there is not a man alive that could deny your wishes.”

“You do me too much justice, my lord.”

Softly Byakuya’s hand stroked against her cheek and his love for Hisana could only grow as he tasted of her lips once more. “All that I would do if you but asked would go beyond justice.”

Date: 2006-02-12 12:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stormcoming.livejournal.com
Oh... my... Lord...

You have just made my little heart happy. This pairing is absolutely lovely, and they way you wrote them? *sighs happily* Too beautiful!

Date: 2006-02-12 04:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
I'm glad to hear it because these two just about drove me nuts. I don't normally deal with characters like these two, so I kept backtracking to make sure I wasn't messing things up^^;;

Date: 2006-02-12 01:16 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Love! But also: "engrained into her" = "ingrained into her"

Date: 2006-02-12 04:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Thanks for catching that! *switch!*

Date: 2006-02-12 02:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xiao-huli-chan.livejournal.com
wow...

that was so beautiful~

Date: 2006-02-12 04:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Ah, thanks-^^-

Date: 2006-02-12 04:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kira-douji.livejournal.com
Ah, the oft forgotten beauty of Hisana and Byakuya's past with her. This was very nice, somewhat sad, and very sedate (I like this because it fits with the feel of the piece). Your metaphors and poetic references to rather normal subjects (such as Byakuya's shoulder, for example) catch the eye, but are not overly flowery.

The only down side to this story is that it's utterly impossible, considering that Byakuya wasn't a captain until after he found Rukia and she became part of the Gotei 13. (Roughly a year or so after Hisana died). However, I can see this applying to his work and home life in general, and would have certainly been true had he been a captain while he was married.

Nicely done. :)

- Kira

Date: 2006-02-12 04:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Really? I don't remember when they said Byakuya became captain *d'oh!* Er.... *waves arms* You didn't see anything!

But I'm glad you like it regardless. And I'm glad the metaphors didn't bog things down too terribly.^^

Date: 2006-02-12 04:40 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
*cries buckets of tears* I am so blissfully happy I just want to give you hugs and love. Byakuya and Hisana is one of my favorite -- if not THE favorite -- pairings in Bleach. They are beauty personified: silent nights on the dim, moonlit porch with a flutter of wind through the bamboo branches and single flickering candle in the paper lantern in a corner. They are a kind of perfect that makes your heart break, her death aside. I honestly believe that Hisana loved him, despite being held back with the guilt always overshadowing her mind, whatever other fans might speculate.

Thank you for writing this piece. I love the images of cranes and herons and velvet and silk. Very Asian and Japanese and Hisana. I rather think a deep blue or indigo would fit her better, rather than black, but that's only my opinion. I also picture Hisana as being more reserved in her words and Byakya in his expressions, but god knows my most practical impression of Byakuya is a silent and still slab of wood. Polished and cream-colored with clear, dark grains, yes, but still wood. *rolls eyes*

Please don't mind my rambling and just give yourself pats on the back for a job splendidly done. Much love to you for this fic! If I could I would bribe you heartily for another, and another, and another, and... (*insert an impossible number of "another"s*), of this pairing. Would a knitted pillow be an alluring enough temptation?

~ Trinity/Lanithanai

Date: 2006-02-12 05:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Um, wow. I'm flattered, really^^ I also think Hisana really did love him, but was weighed down by the guilt of abandoning Rukia. Really, you just pretty much did what you need to do to get a drabble out of my: just request it.

It may not be coming for a while as I'm a bit overwhelmed with RL stuff for the next week. But I'll do my best to get something done for you^^

Date: 2006-02-12 05:47 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
;_; My hero... (heroine). Please take your time. It's you who is (or is it "are"? Grammar lessons needed) doing us readers favors, after all. We can't appreciate it enough. In the mean time, please be content with basking in the love I'm showering on you. *showers you with paper hearts and whatnot* *becomes cupid and shoots everyone in the vicinity of you with heart-shaped tipped arrows* And I promise I'm not somebody's grandma, even though knitting is one of my loves. :D

~Trinity/Lanithanai

PS: I draw, too, however limited my ability, and if you would like a pic of a scene within the Bleach world I'd try my best, even if I'll have to wrestle my printer/scanner down to upload it! (I have horribly bad luck with printers, don't know why ;_; )

Date: 2006-02-12 05:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
I'm fairly certain it was be 'is' XD. I used to love knitting, too, but then I forgot how to. I still like to cross-stitch though I never do it anymore ;_;

Draw? Really? I may have to abuse take you up on that offer sometimes XD

Date: 2006-02-12 08:10 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Knitting love goes on and off but it's tremendously helpful when being stressed. ^_^

About the drawing thing, you can find me here http://lanithanai.deviantart.com/ Just drop a line or two in the Deviant comments or something. I'll try to check on 'em regularly. I don't update or visit my deviant account a whole lot, mainly 'cuz I'm lazy. >.>;; I'll be glad to be of service, anyhow, especially if it means more puddle-melting inducing fics. ;)

~Trinity

Date: 2006-02-12 12:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hidden-gems.livejournal.com
Oh wow...

**melts into a revolting puddle of goo**

I've read other things you've written before, but I don't think you've ever touched me this way... This is one of my favourite pairings -- and for once it's canon!! -- and I'm glad you also think that Byakuya loved Hisana above all else.

Gosh, my poor little heart hurts now...

Date: 2006-02-12 05:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
I really do love Byakuya and Hisana, but I'm just not very good with their type of characterization so I never get around to working with them^^;;

I'm glad you liked it.

Date: 2006-02-12 05:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hidden-gems.livejournal.com
Hell, I wish I was "not very good" the way you are!!

Date: 2006-02-12 05:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
I kind of chalk this one up to a fluke. I was staring at a blank document for an entire day trying to come up with something^^;;

Date: 2006-02-12 04:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-rong.livejournal.com
This is, absolutely, wonderfully, tastefully and artfully done. I've read many pieces of Byakuya/Hisana; each saying either their love wasn't strong, or Hisana didn't love Byakuya at all, or Byakuya didn't love Hisana (I guess that scene in the manga really got all our brains fried a little). I didn't agree with any of them at all; agreeing a little with each but none fully. And yr ficlet, this supremely written piece has captured the essence of it I believe (or, as I choose/want to believe); the delicate and undoubtedly sad relationship between Hisana and Byakuya. I can't explain why or how, but yr ficlet has done it all.

And the way you wrote, use of words, description (weaving and knitting! Reminds me of love potions actually) was very powerful and moving. It didn't make me cry, but leaves an empty hollow in my heart, from the crushing impact and real-ness of it.

I wish to kowtow to you now. :) (and of course, memory-ing this)

Date: 2006-02-12 05:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Aw, thanks^^ Personally? I believe Byakuya loved Hisana more than anything- that's why he searched for Rukia after all -and that Hisana wanted so much to love him back just as strongly. That's part of the reason why I really do love this pairing- it's tragic but heartfelt.

But, I agree, I haven't found many fics with these two and those that I've found didn't do them justice (i felt).

Date: 2006-02-12 05:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vestimona.livejournal.com
very nice! not much luv out there for Hisana.

I luv your layout by the way!

Date: 2006-02-12 05:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Thanks!

For the layout I did the graphic and [livejournal.com profile] tsukishine helped code it.

Date: 2006-02-13 02:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dark-malignity.livejournal.com
good valar, that was mindblowing. i wish your Hisana were canon Hisana. little wonder that he worships her, i would worship her too if i were him. thanks so much for the fic. it was really, really awesome. you have no idea how beautiful this is. you captured them both perfectly.

its so unnervingly real in a way. i loved how you adopted her POV, and really explore her thoughts and emotions. Slowly Hisana crawled to the door, placing her hand lightly on the frame, as if the act were a disturbance. “My lord,” she said into the partition at her lips, “Byakuya-sama. Do you wish to be alone?” was my favourite. how in the world is it even possible for something to be both horrible and sad and beautiful and romantic all at the same time?!?! it hurts so horribly to love someone that way, where he is so divine and unreachable (all hail colonialization and the womens lib movement. just 90 years ago and i WOULD have been destined to be a hisana..doomed to love somebody i can only ever worship..) and yet it still feels like that sort of love is the most romantic thing on earth.

thank you so much for the fic. i can spend hours reading it!

Date: 2006-02-13 03:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
If I had a choice in how canon Hisana turned out, she wouldn't be dead and that would throw the rest of the series out of whack :P

I kind of view Hisana's... feelings? toward Byakuya somewhat parrallel to Rukia's toward him. She wants to make him proud and happy and not regret that he chose to marry her, but she's also a little sad that she doesn't return the strength of his emotions. It's all very dark and sharp, but just so beautiful and pure at the same time and I was trying my best to bring those feelings across with this^^

I'm glad that you like it!

Date: 2006-02-13 01:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sophiap.livejournal.com
This is simply amazing. The sheer beauty of the description just blew me away. Sometimes, when people try to go into a lot of detail, it ends up becoming heavy and ponderous. Not so here.

I can really believe that these two were very much in love and that things may not have been entirely perfect for either of them.

I also loved the way the servants oh-so-respectfully herded Hisana into her role as if they were a pack of well-mannered border collies.

Date: 2006-02-13 07:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Thank you^^ I don't often write like this, but I do find it's fun when I get the chance (which probably means i should do it more often but we'll see how well that works outXD)

All the married couples are so tragic it's heartbreaking. And part of the reason why it's so beautiful and painful is because it feels so REAL. They loved each other so greatly but you just know it was never 'perfect' between them.

The servants were probably herding her because the mistress of the house doing things for herself probably broke their brains^^;;

Date: 2006-02-13 04:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] boopkit.livejournal.com
my. god. i wish that my vocabulary was enough to cherish you, i am too tempted to comment in turkish, my native language.

it was very very, beautiful.
thank you!

Date: 2006-02-13 07:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Wow, I've never been complimented in Turkish. Ebonics- once, but never in another language (except in korean, but that was from my aunt and it wasn't about my writing so i don't count that XD)

My pleasure!

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