31_days | [17 April 07] [Bleach] Do as You Wish

Title: Do as you wish
Day/Theme: 17 April/As one Wishes
Series: Bleach
Character: Byakuya centric
Rating: G

The young man bowed respectfully as he entered the room.

"Father. I wish to marry."

The words echoed around in the dimly lit ancestral hall. Generations of patriachs glared down at him knowingly from their portraits, loading him wordlessly with the burden of his nobel heritage. Once, this alone would have been enough to cause him to submit, tail between his legs, but this time was different. This time, he resolved to stand firm, no matter what happened.

"Who would the noble Kuchiki marry?" This voice was dry and humorless. It came from a seat at the far end of the hall. A seat occupied by a much older man, rich in years and power. He glanced up from his book only after hearing his son speak. The bored look on his face was slowly being replaced by a cruel smirk quirking the corners of his mouth as he waited his son's reply.

"Father, her name is Hisana."

"The street rat from the Rukongai? Do not waste your time and seed on what is not worth keeping."

The reply came swiftly, striking like a snake, its venom hitting a raw nerve in him. The young man gritted his teeth, fighting down angry words and irritation at himself for even responding at all to his father's taunt. Had he not been forced to play this game many times before growing up in this loveless family? Surely, he was now hardened to the sting of the verbal flagellation. He held his tongue and and kept silent, setting his face into a steely mask of serenity. So, he had people watching me, he thought, remebering all the stolen hours that he had spent with her, the two just lying face to face, sharing in companiable silence, hands clasped as if to assure themselves that the other was still there. That the moments they shared were not simply part of a dream. Somehow, though they had not done anything, just knowing that someone had been observing sullied the memory. Not surprising. I will not react. I must not react. Any reaction now would be to admit defeat.

"She is a commoner and unworthy of our name." The words were but a soft silibant hiss. It seemed to come from all around. The accusation unspoken. You will bring disgrace to the family.

Fighting the urge to bow apologetically, Byakuya raised his head and held it so that the candle light caught on the kensaikan that he now wore. A sign that he was now the head of the household and no longer to be ordered around. A charged silence settled, brooding sullenly over the hall. See how well you have trained me Father. I'm now at least as arrogant and as cold a bastard as you.

"I see." The old man breathed at last. "Go then. Do as you wish." Having spoken, he turned again to his book ignoring his son completely, though he remained standing stiffly before him, pride in every line, only just masking the uncertainty of youth. Do as you wish. I wash my hands of you. There would be no familial blessing on this union.

The younger man bowed and paced out, his audience at an end.