This started out way shorter. I do not own Bleach.

Ah, email, the modern mail system. Can email be as romantic as the classic letter? Is romance in the gesture or the words? Can it be read in action or inaction? Just what is romance? Romance isn't all cupids and hearts. It can be quite different for anyone. What if she didn't care for cupids or the color pink? What if he can't express himself through such trifles and cliché gifts? Does it make them unromantic? Does it mean they don't care for one another?

Neither Byakuya or Rukia were dense shallow people. They were both quiet and reserved. She never expected hollow words from him. It wasn't his way. He expressed himself through his actions and when he did say something he meant it. She understood he cared for her by everything he always did for her. But there's a limit to what one can interpret from non cliche actions.

Rukia doesn't vocalize her feelings much either. But she was always more balanced in actions and words, at least with everyone else. The expression in her eyes could always speak volumes. Rukia couldn't tell him she cared either. The best way to make him understand was to show him her loyalty and unconditional love for him. This lack of spoken words between them kept them both frozen. The distance never could close between them. They were like two planets revolving around the same sun, never making contact.

Rukia had an unavoidable crush on the adoptive brother. It was unavoidable because he was so handsome, strong, and commanding. He was everything she had ever dreamed about a man being. The only problem was he was her brother and because of that he always acted the perfect gentlemen.

Many times he showed his affection toward her through indirect comments.

When Muramasa had been finished. Byakuya had said. "Kurosaki Ichigo, this will be the second time I am to thank you." He was just like that. Never getting too personal, but never lacking in the ability to show his gratitude or mistakes when it was called for. His pride and honor would not let him go much further. But Rukia had a strange feeling that thank you was less of a thank you to Ichigo and more of a plea to her. That's how it always seemed to be, never allowing himself to get too close.

She would surely reject him anyway, wouldn't she? There was no point in allowing himself to get too close. There could never be anything between them no matter how much he wanted it to be that way. He poked around the subject the best he could but his indirect behavior was never enough to get a reaction out of her. Every time he tried to be bolder he faltered. He was seeing too much of it now, her walking away with his words left unspoken.

He never told her his plans during the rebellion and everyone thought him a traitor. Rukia searched for him when he went missing, risking her health to find him. She never thought she would miss him that much. Not being by his side was tortuous, she would have joined him if he asked, trusting he knew what was best. Even when he took his sword to strike her she did not believe the action and still loved him. If she was to die by his had then so be it, she would not see it as betrayal, but a satisfying way to die. Luckily, the whole thing had been well calculated and as expected, the other man that loved her, Renji, came to her rescue.

Yes we can't forget about Renji or Ichigo, one was always there with her. She cared deeply for them both. He never saw her with Ichigo much but his resemblance to someone from her past made him a rival. Renji, everyday Renji, always having lunch with her, always fooling around with her, going out after work with her, there was no doubt how Renji felt. Byakuya had questioned her once about their relationship. It came out less like a simple inquiry and more like a fatherly command of questioning disapproval. Rukia had said the relationship was nothing more and never would be anything more then friendship. She seemed sincere. She didn't look at Renji the way he did her, and for Byakuya, and Renji' health, that was a good thing. But still there was Ichigo.

Byakuya stared out of his library window. Renji and Rukia were chatting away merrily in the garden.

"Byakuya." came Ginrei "You should do well to better hide your emotions. It is not appropriate for a brother to look at his sister in such a manner. We must not show our jealousy, it is not befitting."

"Grandfather, I am at a loss." Byakuya said back not taking his eyes off of the two.

"I see there is no undoing your attachment to her. You seem to enjoy self punishment. You have spent too long mourning your wife and now you morn your sisters love."

"I do not wish to damage our current relationship. If I lost her…"

"If you are not diligent you will loose her. She is at an age where a woman should be married. It is my opinion that she has put off such things because of how much she cares for you. You may have noticed that her eyes can not hide her feelings. Have you been so self involved that you do not see her need for approval from you? Her want of your affection? She has so far made a good companion to you and I believe you both want more."

"I have tried to tell her to show her."

"Your heart is too guarded. Your grandmother had another suitor. I was sure I would loose her. I was determined to do anything to have her. Her mothers pearl necklace had been stolen by a well known criminal from her grave. I was in love and recovered them and gave them to her as an engagement gift. I was an overzealous youth and ended up injured in the act. She stayed by my side and agreed to marry me. Rukia reminds me of her, very caring about the people around her. I have no intentions of loosing my only granddaughter that, she is a Kuchiki after all." he gestured to the loud red-head outside who was pulling Rukia into a bear hug.

"I will make another attempt this evening to ascertain what her affections are."

"That is a start." Ginrei thought his grandson hopeless.

Dinner had been cleared and Rukia was about to ask to be excused from the table. Ginrei had already removed himself from the situation claming he was tired and would retire early.

"Rukia, I understand you are to be deployed tomorrow. What are your plans this evening?"

"Well, everyone is down at the pub and I was thinking of showing up to say good bye like I always do. You know just incase."

"Just incase?"

"Just incase things go wrong in the living world and I do not return."

Byakuya' eyes widened a bit and he cringed at hearing her say it.

"Stay home this evening." he said.

"What for?"

"You will be gone for a while and I wish to spend this time with you."

Rukia was now a bit shocked at her brothers request. She gave him a huge smile and a nod and he rose from his seat.

"Come." he commanded standing over her and offering her his hand to assist her in getting up.

"I am afraid I am not much company but It would please me if you would sit with me this evening." He led her to the edge of the room where they now sat, and he motioned the servants to close the partition to the dining area and open the opposite sliding doors, completely removing the boundary between the room and the garden.

The darkness from the night and light from the rooms one lantern poured out into each other creating a subtle and sensual ambiance. He turned and looked directly outside and she copied his movements. Not moving otherwise he reached for her hand and intertwined it with hers on her lap. She looked at him, questioningly, then she took a moment to admire his handsome features. His eyes were closed , deep in thought and she stared at the corner of his mouth. He looked so serene, there was a sadness too him but he looked content being there with her. She was unable to resist placing her head on his shoulder and he acknowledged her by resting his head upon hers. Rukia turned her eyes back onto the stars that seemed so far off but so full of possibilities. Then they continued to sit together in a tranquil silence for most of the evening. Nothing in those moments needed to be spoken. Everything was understood between them.

Rukia had fought the urge to fall asleep, not wanting to miss a moment of this closeness and inner bliss, but she was so warm and comfortable she finally gave in. Byakuya held her in his arms for a long time and watched her sleep. He knew he should have returned her to her room but he couldn't bare to part with her. He laid her back on the floor, then pulled her close and let sleep overtake him. It was going to be lonely without her.