It has been centuries since Byakuya has loved. I know that for a fact. But a few months ago this changed. He found love again. It started as an almost friendship, but Byakuya being Byakuya liked to keep his distance from those around him, even his family and lieutenant. He and Maki would walk the halls of the squad talking over mission, Seireitei affairs and the goings on of the squad. It was all a formal procedure, formal greetings, correct honorifics, bows, ect. It was infuriating, there was something there, something to hatch and grow but Byakuya was too distance.
After a while Maki grew tired of formality, preferring the company of more casual and relaxed members of the squad. I could tell it hurt Byakuya every time he saw her with someone else, I could tell he desperately wanted to be close, but he refused to let himself; he knew it would end the same as before. I knew that he felt guilty as having the feelings again, I was close to insanity, wanting to scream at him to get over it and just tell her how he felt.
I took almost forever for me to spy them walking together again at last. Maki was a delightful shade of pink as she walked with Byakuya. Whatever she had said had obviously been designed to flatter. From then on everything went smoothly. They would stride proudly through the halls, hand in hand; heads held high, it could only make me smile. The walks through the hall soon turned to walks through the Kuchiki manor Blossom Garden.
On one particular walk, when Byakuya thought he was out of view from the house he swept Maki under a tree, cupping her face in his hand, leaning in and pressed his lips delicately on hers. I saw the only words I needed to. As he pulled back a little he spoke oh so quietly, his lips grazing over hers as he did. "I love you," he whispered.
I smiled, I knew now I could rest. I knew now he would be happy again, with someone new to love, and not just a memory. A memory of me.