A/N: This is my very first story on Bleach. Sorry for grammatical errors and please enjoy. And review! (:
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, sadly.
Rukia's eyes fluttered open and she tried to make out the blurry images in front of her. She tried to squint hoping that the glaring white light would disappear, but it only made her head throbbed.
"Kuchiki-san? Are you awake? Thank god!" A familiar voice said in relief and Rukia felt a cool hand on her forehead.
The blurry images were starting to come into focus and Rukia saw Unohana taichou retrieve her hand from her forehead. "Her fever has subsided. Thank goodness she was saved in time, Kuchiki-taichou. If you were a few seconds later, she might have died. Well, you can stop worrying now." Unohana taichou said kindly.
Rukia blinked. Kuchiki-taichou? Nii-sama? Her nii-sama is here? What happened? Rukia let her mind wander back to what happened that night. Ukitake-taichou had been sick that day and had asked Rukia if she would be able to bring the team and defeat a menos that had broken into soul society. She had agreed readily and Rukia remembered how she had difficulty fighting the menos, there was a blue light and suddenly, everything around Rukia went black. That was all she could remember.
Rukia tilted her head to the side just in time to see a familiar back walking away with the number six print on the back of a captain's uniform. Rukia sighed as she tried to sit up.
"Kuchiki-san! Are you feeling better?" Unohana-taichou asked as she hurried over to help Rukia sit up.
Rukia nodded and gave a small smile. "What happened? Who saved me?"
"You're lucky, Kuchiki-san. The menos was about to give you the last blow but Kuchiki-taichou arrived in time to save you. You have been lying here for two weeks and he has been dropping by every day. He seems really worried." Unohana-taichou replied as she poured Rukia a glass of water.
Rukia bit her bottom lip. Nii-sama saved her? Great, now she'll never live up to nii-sama's expectations ever again. He must have been furious with her for disgracing the Kuchiki name.
"Are you okay?" Unohana asked.
Rukia nodded. "Can I leave and rest at home? I don't feel good here. The smell of all these medicine stings my nose."
"Well.. I guess it should be fine. But try to rest more and not think about anything much. If you were to lose control of your emotions, you will not be able to recover quickly. Oh, before you go, hand this letter to Kuchiki-taichou. This is to inform him about your condition." Unohana-taichou said as she handed Rukia an envelope.
Rukia sighed as she lay in her own bed. It had been a few hours since she had arrived at the Kuchiki manor and nii-sama hasn't been home until just a few minutes ago.
There was a knock on the door. "Dinner is served, Kuchiki-san."
"I'm not hungry. I'll skip dinner." Rukia called back to the servant.
"But Kuchiki-sama insists that Kuchiki-san must be present for dinner." The servant replied.
Rukia frowned. What is wrong with nii-sama? Doesn't he always try to avoid eating at the same table as her?
Rukia shrugged as she got out of bed and opened her door. She could see nii-sama sitting there in a very stiff position, both his hands on his lap.
"Nii-sama." Rukia greeted meekly as she sat down across the table.
Byakuya returned Rukia an icy stare as she looked down. "I will not allow you to skip meals. Do you understand?" he said, his voice as cold as steel.
"But, nii-sama, I wasn't hungry and-
"I don't want to hear anything else. Just obey what you are supposed to obey." Byakuya interrupted and picked up his chopsticks.
Rukia's eyes fell as she gritted her teeth. "Yes, nii-sama."
Dinner was very quiet and Rukia swore she could almost hear her own heartbeat hammering loudly against her chest. Throughout dinner, she stole little glances at Byakuya but he continued eating as though he was the only person in the room.
"I'm done, nii-sama. I shall take my leave now." Rukia mumbled as she got up and left the dining table without waiting for a response, although she doubted that there would be any.
All I want is a nice, hot bath and I'll head to bed. Rukia thought as she yawned and head down the hallway towards the bathroom that she has never use before. I heard the bathroom is the largest and grandest of all in the manor with lots of mirrors and scented candles. I might as well take a look and it might even help me relax.
Byakuya frowned as he put his paperwork aside. He rubbed his temples as thoughts of Rukia injured drifted to his mind. Why is she so silly? Why didn't she call for help? She could have approached me too. Doesn't she know that the last thing I would want to see is her getting hurt?
Byakuya let out a heavy sigh as he stepped out of his room and head towards the bathroom down the hallway.
To his surprise, the door was closed. Usually no one uses this bathroom except for him. The servants were also forbidden to use this bathroom. Who could be inside? Rukia? "Rukia? Are you in there?" he asked.
Byakuya waited a few seconds for an answer but there was none. He frowned as he pushed the door open. It was unlocked. Maybe the servants have forgotten to close it. Byakuya walked past a row of mirrors and as he turned to face the bathtub, the colour drained from his face as he caught sight of someone inside the bathtub. He turned around as quickly as he could to avoid looking but he was facing the mirror. Not a blank wall. Before Byakuya could shut his eyes, he saw something strange through the mirror. It was Rukia in the tub. But her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily.
Byakuya frowned. "Rukia? Are you okay?"
There was no answer. Byakuya decided to walk towards to Rukia. He clenched his jaw as he saw a naked Rukia in the tub. Forcing himself to tear his eyes away from her petite frame, he gently shook Rukia on her arm.
"Rukia. Wake up now. Go back to your room and sleep." Byakuya whispered.
There was no reaction in Rukia and that made Byakuya raise his brows. He put his palm on top of Rukia's forehead and gasped. Her forehead was burning! She must have fainted!
Byakuya grabbed a towel from the rack, pulled Rukia into his arms and wrapped her in the towel. He walked quickly into Rukia's room and laid her on her bed. The towel rode up Rukia's thighs and Byakuya bit his lip as he looked at her thighs. His eyes travelled upwards before he could stop himself. After he realized what he was doing, he leapt off the bed and rushed out of her room. He quickly changed to his usual calm and aloof expression and walked towards the maids' quarters.