What’s done is done, but there was solace in the fact she hadn’t been subjected to the worst of them. “If you remain fortunate, you never will.” Only the most bold ( or desperate ) of hollow dared attack Soul Society directly, and while they all fell to the blade of a Shinigami in due time, the inevitability remained that they would consume dozens of souls or more before the first responders could reach them so far into the districts. Witnesses of those attacks didn’t always survive to share their tales. Drawn by their nervous fluttering, his eyes drifted to her hands before he assured her, “Its unlikely you’ll ever find a hollow in the Seireitei, however.”
All the more reason for her to seek out its safety. His question seemed rather foolish in light of such a straightforward answer. Why else did anyone leave the Rukongai behind? Outside becoming a Shinigami herself, options were scarce. Byakuya noted her spiritual pressure was nothing more than a whisper, almost lost among the roar of the crowd around them. When she offered no further insights, he allowed the subject to drop, all but forgotten as she posed a question of her own for which he had no ready answer. One chance encounter was hardly the basis of familiarity and yet – he remembered her. Recognized her.
“I don’t think I’ve had quite such a…unique introduction to one of my servants before,” he said, with a flicker of amusement at the memory of their prior meeting. Not that it explained his continued attentiveness. Well aware he was dancing around a proper reply, he hesitated before he continued, “…And I found our conversation interesting,” She spoke with a certain openness, sharing freely her thoughts, her concerns; even her past, which differed so greatly from his own, came through in small glimpses. Unusual circumstances, perhaps, but he could only gain from better acquainting himself with those that surrounded the members of his household. Byakuya regarded her with a light tilt of his head. “Is that not enough?”
They hadn’t gone much further when he stopped abruptly. Fruits of every color burst from a nearby display, still vibrant in the shade of the shop’s overhang. A tempting arrangement, though not what caught his eye. He nodded toward a small cluster of vegetables in the corner. “Yatsufusa peppers.” One of his favorites. Recalling vaguely the paper she showed him, he slid his gaze back toward Hisana. “Was that on your list…?”
Hisana’s not even sure what response she was hoping to illicit with that question but this certainly wasn’t it. He answers her so honestly and so frankly, she’s almost rendered speechless. It’s not just the reminder of literally stumbling into Byakuya’s arms when they first met that embarrasses her but rather, what on earth Byakuya ever saw in her that captivated his interest. It must be pity, she tells herself. He pities you and that’s the only reason why he looks at you with anything other than casual indifference. And yet… that still doesn’t quite make sense for Hisana. He doesn’t treat her like someone would treat a pitiful creature. He doesn’t talk down to her or patronise her, doesn’t claim to know better than her, but is curious and actually wants to know more, wants to stay in her company. It’s so bizarre, it gives more mystery to him which only helps in confusing Hisana.
When she realises he’s asked a question of her she blinks up at Byakuya slightly startled and she scratches at her cheek, trying to hide the blush that has steadily risen to cheeks.
“I suppose it is okay.” Hisana answers quietly. “Since I find you fairly interesting as well Lord Kuchiki.”
Something else thankfully captures his attention and she breathes a sigh of relief, fortunate to revert back to her state of actually doing her duties and job required of her instead of standing around like some blushing school girl. She reaches into her sleeves pulling out the shopping list, eyes squinting as she tries to make out the various characters now blurred into one another.
“I think it may be.” Hisana says uncertain. “Better safe than sorry I suppose.” She says briskly approaching the stall and purchasing a large bundle of the peppers.“I’ve never seen a pepper like this before.” She says turning back to Byakuya, pulling one of the peppers out and examining it closer. It’s small and unassuming, whole and plump unlike the scraps of vegetables Hisana was more accustomed to cooking with. Perhaps it was good for snacking on? Without second thought, she pops the pepper into her mouth, stem and all, and gives it a few chews.
“Oh no.” She says in a small voice.
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