This is a new story for the love of Kuchiki Byakuya. If you're not reading the manga, then do not read ahead! May contain spoilers! Occurs after the events of volume 48, before the events of volume 49. enjoy!

"You can come in if you want"

Kuchiki Byakuya turned around, surprised. He had been standing on the brick wall of a house for the last hour, wondering what to do next. He had come to Karakura Town on a whim, hoping to find the answers to the questions in his mind. He had stopped at this particular house because of the calming aura around it. It made him feel at peace.

Turning around, Byakuya came face-to-face with a girl with short, black hair and brown eyes. Face-to-face literally meant that, for her nose was brushing against his. Byakuya frowned. Talking to a human was beneath him. He wanted to just turn and leave.

But something caught his eye, something inside the room.

"I'm a stranger, why let me in?" he asked, hoping to get her distracted. The girl shrugged.

"You don't act like a stalker, you're looking the other way. Besides, it's cold out tonight" she said a cloud of mist forming in her breath. Byakuya had noticed the cold too. It was almost winter, after all.

"I'm Kikuchi Ai" she said, holding out her hand for a shake. Byakuya ignored it and turned away. He did not want to talk to her anymore. But, he did not leave the place.

"Tell me your name atleast!" she complained. If Kuchiki Byakuya had snorted then, he'd have lost his cool and pride and not to mention, the family honor.

Ai pouted.

"Moron!" she scolded, tossing a jacket at the back of his head. Byakuya turned to cut the brat into a million pieces, but then he saw it: the reason he had come to that place. Ai was getting ready for bed. Her eyes looked down and her fingers gently held the fabric of the bed and tucked it. Her expression remained the same while she carefully slipped between the covers. Byakuya knew that expression. He had seen Hisana wear it a million times as she prepared for bed.

The tender expression that gave love and kindness to the stranger who had been standing on her wall too. Byakuya smiled a little. He liked the idea that Hisana was re-incarnated as this girl. It made him feel as if he were on cloud nine.

For the next few days, Byakuya was obsessed with Ai and followed her around all day long. Although it was hard to do so considering she went to school and he wasn't permitted in, he watched her other times. One day, on her way back, Ai stopped and turned.

"Look, stalker-san" she said turning to Byakuya with a fierce look on her face, "If you're going to stalk me, atleast do it in a way that I don't notice you!" she yelled, before turning and running away. Byakuya frowned and ran after her. He didn't know if it was the gigai sucking off his energy or if the girl was honestly that fast, but by the time he reached where she was, he was gasping for air. Ai stared at the man with the knife pointed at her. Byakuya looked up and frowned, his cold face returning as he noticed she was in danger.

"Leave" he said, stepping in front of her, so that he was between the man with the knife and Ai. The man grinned. There was a gold-stud in his tooth.

"My my, a lovers' quarrel? Lucky me!" he said, his raspy voice making Ai shiver with fright. Byakuya glanced at her. He had no permission to attack a human, nor did he have any restrictions against it. Humans were meant to be ignored.

"Don't make me repeat myself a third time" Byakuya warned the man, "Leave"

The man laughed with a voice crackling and thunder booming in the background. Ai fell to her knees, completely defeated. Byakuya caught him square in the face with his fist and sent the man flying back. Byakuya then turned to Ai, who was pale and shivering. He held her hands and said instinctively, "It's alright, you're alright now. You're safe now" he said and Ai burst into tears, burying her face in his chest.

"I was so scared!" she cried, "I thought he was going to-"

"I wouldn't let him lay a finger on you" Byakuya said intervening. Ai shook her head, pulled away to look him in the eyes.

"I thought he was going to hurt you!" she said, holding his face in her hands, "And that scared me to death! Is that normal? I don't even know you!" she said. Byakuya smiled a little and Ai gasped with shock.

"I won't scare you like that again" he said. Ai nodded and tried getting up, but her knees were too weak. Byakuya lifted her up in his arms and Ai blushed dark as he carried her home.

"Do you want me to talk to your parents'?" he enquired, setting her down on the ground. Ai shook her head.

"They're not home" she said, "No one is. I live alone"

Byakuya stared at the house. It was like every other house on the street, large enough to accomodate a large family. She lived there, alone? That made him feel bad for her. No wonder she looked so lonely.

"Do you want to come in? I'll make some tea" she offered. Byakuya didn't want to refuse her again and he followed her as she walked into her house. Ai lead him into the living room and sat him down on the couch. She then hurried out of the door and into the kitchen. After a few minutes, she came back, holding a plate of dessert.

"It's cheese cake left-over from last night" she explained, setting it down in front of him.

"You don't have to eat it if you don't want to" she added, as he sat still. Byakuya looked up at her. She was staring at him with wide, scared eyes.

"Kuchiki" he said, "My name is Kuchiki Byakuya"

Ai relaxed considerably, Byakuya noticed, for her shoulders relaxed. Byakuya would've smiled at how easily trusting she was, but he picked up the cake and took a small bite out of it.

Ai smiled.

"I'll go check on the tea" she informed, rushing back into the kitchen. After a few small noises, Ai had come back with a tea set on a tray. She set it down, knelt and poured the tea. Byakuya watched her hands as she poured. They were a lot like Hisana's hands: small, gentle, fragile. When she handed him his cup, Byakuya held her hand. Ai turned red and looked up at him, gasping with surprise.

"Don't leave me" he said softly. Ai's expression softened and she put her other hand on his and caressed it gently.

"I won't even if you beg me" she informed. Byakuya smiled a little and Ai turned red again, at how cute he looked when he smiled. Ai put her hand on his cheek and pulled it a little.

"You look nice when you smile" she said, bobbing her head to one side, "You should do it more often, Byakuya"

Byakuya frowned. No one called him just "Byakuya" except Yorouichi and Ichigo.

"You're going to pay for that" he said, leaning forward and capturing her lips with his in a kiss. Ai's eyes widened in shock and remained that way, even after Byakuya had pulled away. Byakuya chuckled at how adorable she looked when she was dumb-struck. He pulled the tea-cup out of her hands and placed it on the table. Then, he took her hand in his, pulled her close and kissed her again.

Then, passion took over.

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