A series of stories about Kuchiki Byakuya. Keep me posted on how you like/don't like it! Seriously, I like reviews...
Sakura petals floated in from the open window scattering themselves daintily on the worn wooden floor. Sunlight caught onto each pastel colored fleck as it drifted slowly with the warm spring wind over the floorboards. They swirled into little coils, dancing along the molding and around the legs of a desk that sat idly in the corner of the room. A single blossom hovered in the air near the occupant of the desk flowing back and forth as if to wave at the occupant, who didn't seem to notice. The blossom instead landed on the table, beckoning the occupant to look at it. Still, he seemed to pay more attention to what he was writing instead of at the alluring blossom. As if upset by his seeming lack of interest, the petals were suddenly picked up by the wind and gusted towards the hands that were so intent on writing.
Finally capturing his attention, the blossoms settled into his now open and attentive hand. They caressed his hand, wrapping the calloused flesh in a velvet blanket. The muscles in his hand relaxed at the lightness of the touch, it felt like a lover's hand on top of his own. Hers.
The Sakura blossoms always knew when he was thinking about her, they could feel it. That's why they came. Senbonzakura knew better than anyone what it was like for him to lose her, and so, she did the only thing she knew of to help her companion.
Byakuya noted the gesture his zanpakutou was making. The feeling of the petals swirl in his hand, comforting him narrowly softened his heart of steel. She knew what he was like, how composed he kept himself; he was a noble after all, how else was he supposed to be? He had been born into a family that prided itself on being noble, and he was meant to be its head. He had been bred to be its leader, though natural he was at taking the position. At all times he maintained a poise and perfection that was unrivaled in all four of the noble families in Soul Society.
He was flawless.
But never had he thought that he would put the pride or the reputation of his entire clan at risk.
Until she came.
With a flicker of her eyes she could melt the icy exterior that was Kuchiki Byakuya. She made him feel… normal. The rest of his family, himself included, always forced him into the position of aristocracy. He was made to be a god among men. The lowly humbled themselves before him, careful to never meet his gaze. Even those who were his equal trembled before him. Except her…
But now she was gone; taken from him by something he could not save her from. And it destroyed him. There were things that he had complete power over. There was nothing he couldn't do. He was a god among men. But he couldn't save her.
A pang of anger ripped at his heart and he clenched his fist, his brow furrowed as he shut his eyes. The petals that still swirled in his hand were gripped together tight suddenly. They struggled to break free, feeling strangled in his grasp. Wind whipped at his hand and tossed a few strands of his long dark hair to one side. Realizing that he was harming his companion he let go, remorse and sorrow now straining his muscles.
Senbonzakura always understood. She had been through worse with him before. The petals drifted through his fingertips and landed as lightly as a hell butterfly on the desk. Another lingering petal had floated up towards his face and lightly passed by his cheek. She wanted so badly for his pain to subside; she wished she could heal the deep course that rent his soul.
He caught the blossom against his cheek, never wanting her touch to cease. I can't do this alone.
"You never are." She whispered through the wind.
He reached a hand down to his side, lightly touching the hilt of his sword, his zanpakutou, his… Senbonzakura.
The throbbing pain that yanked at his heart dispersed slightly. There was the faint feeling of thanks that crossed his mind, and he knew she could feel it.
The remaining Sakura petals that rested on his desk came to life once more, a faint picture becoming shaped within the petals. As he looked down, the faint hint of a smile passed on his face as he reached down to touch the picture formed within the petals.
"You're welcome."
I'm thinking about adding more to this, but as of right now, I kind of like this the way this particular one ends.