Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach! Characters may be a little OOC, but I'll try to avoid that!

I thought I'd try writing ByaRuki because there's something about these two that I can't resist! I hope you enjoy! I appreciate any constructive feedback!

EDIT: Thank you for your comments and reviews, especially shiroiruki! I've made some changes that will hopefully make my story better! I appreciate your patience - it's a journey for me as well, to see how this story develops!

Definitions just in case:

Konbanwa – good evening

Ocha – tea

It was her first night at the manor but Rukia had already finished unpacking, not that she had very many possessions to begin with. As she sat at her small writing table beside her futon, elbows resting on the table and chin on her knuckles, she surveyed her room. She noted how large it was - larger than her dormitory in the academy, and certainly larger than any crash space she and her friends were able to find as children.

Just like Renji had said, she has a family now.. A wealthy one with history and connections to boot.. But, ironically, she never felt more alone in her life. It was just a short week ago that she accepted the proposition of adoption, though she did not really understand why she was so singled out - she was just a stray from the most destitute districts of Rukongai, but it would be foolish to turn down such an offer. Ever since then, she heard snide whispers and felt cold stares from the other shinigami. She was treated differently than before, kept at an arm's length or avoided entirely. No, she thought, I must be grateful for the honor to live as a Kuchiki!

A knock on her door jolted her out of her reflective reprimanding. "Hai!" was her immediate response, quickly getting to her feet to properly greet her visitor. Byakuya wordlessly entered and slid the door shut behind him.

Upon realizing that her guest was her newly adoptive brother, she bowed deeply, all while sputtering,"Nii-sama! Konbanwa! Thank you very much for taking me in! I am extremely honored to bear the Kuchiki name! Please, have a seat!"

She hurriedly set a cushion down on the other side of her small table and motioned for her brother to sit. With a nod, he gracefully settled onto the cushion and she followed suit where she had been seated previously.

Rukia fidgeted a little and looked about the room, sneaking a few glances at Byakuya since she dared not observe him outrightly. She noticed his handsome features - his beautifully sculpted face and silky, jet-black hair, adorned with his kenseikan; even his posture proclaimed "nobility". She saw why he was revered as the most desirable bachelor of all of Soul Society - this living Adonis was intimidating but imparted a sense of security to those around him. He was not wearing his scarf, but was dressed in his casual navy kimono. He had his eyes closed, and she wondered if this was because he realized his mistake in adopting her and now cannot stand the sight of her. Despondent, she inwardly scolded herself for her clumsy greeting. How will she ever measure up to his expectations? Again, she felt alone.

Little did she know, Byakuya avoided eye contact due to her almost identical resemblance to Hisana, her sister and Byakuya's wife, whom had passed away only a year ago. Byakuya was deeply affected by the loss and so it took a great deal of effort to mask the torrent of emotions bubbling under his collected exterior whenever Rukia was near. Unfortunately, Rukia mistook such a gesture as his disgust for her.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rukia broke the awkward silence, meekly asking, "Nii-sama, would you care for some ocha? I can ask to have some brought here if you like."

"No need." was his terse response. Rukia felt dejected, and resigned to letting silence take over the conversation.

A few minutes later, Byakuya looked over to her and asked, "Do you have all that you require?"

Rukia was surprised, not only because this was this first time since her adoption for anyone to care two bits about her, but also because of his piercing gray eyes. She was never able to appreciate his eyes before, since he kept them shut in every encounter. She could see the candlelight reflected in their glossy surfaces, flecks of dark lavender dancing while he waited for her to answer. She blushed and averted her eyes, embarrassed that he caught her staring. She hastily responded, "Hai! I have settled in comfortably and Amaya-san was kind enough to show me around." Amaya-san was one of the senior servants entrusted with properly acclimating Rukia to living in the manor; like everyone else, she kept her interactions with Rukia to a minimum.

Satisfied with Rukia's response, Byakuya replied, "Good, then I shall take my leave." He stood and began walking towards her door, somewhat rushed because memories of his late wife were beginning to resurface. Briefly taken aback by his sudden departure, a heavy feeling of fear and loneliness dropped to the pit of Rukia's stomach. Without thinking, she reached him just as he placed his hand on her door, about to slide it open. Nervous and uncertain, she buried her face into his back and grasped the fabric of his kimono.

Shocked by her actions, he waited for her to speak. Though muffled, he could hear her beg, "Please... Don't leave me alone..."