~Lay Me Under the Frozen Moon~
By - ByaRukifan
Timeline: After Aizen's defeat
Pairing(s): Byakuya/Rukia
~Chapter Two~
"This mission is of extreme importance and will be dangerous, but I'm sure the two of you can handle it. There have been many sightings of hollows and Menos Grandes located out near the mountains just outside of the Inuzuri District. There have been casualties of some Rukongai residents and only a few that witnessed the sightings had survived. We believe that there is a much stronger force out there causing the hollows to gather. We want the two of you to find out what it is and exterminate it. The mission should take eight days to complete." Yamamoto explained to Byakuya and Rukia, who were standing across from him as he sat at his desk. "You will need to leave early tomorrow morning so I would suggest you both go home to get rested and packed for the mission after this meeting."
Rukia's eyes had widened slightly as Yamamoto explained what they were meant to do. Eight days alone with Byakuya, possibly even longer. She wondered if she'd be able to manage something like that. She never really talked to him much recently because they had been busy with work and the fact that he was more of the silent, non-talkative type. 'He'll probably just work on completing the mission as fast as he possibly can...' She thought silently to herself.
–
Rukia looked up at the setting sun as she and Byakuya walked home. Byakuya had gone with her to the Thirteenth Division so she could return the paperwork to Ukitake. Rukia walked beside him as they made there way home. Byakuya hadn't said a thing since earlier that day when he had told Yamamoto that they would be prepared for the mission and that they would leave at daybreak.
'I wonder what Nii-sama thinks about this mission..' Rukia wondered. 'Probably nothing much...He'll just fight most of the hollows while watching over me...Ugh, this is my chance! I'm going to show Nii-sama that I'm strong and that I don't always need protecting.' Rukia was determined to prove herself to Byakuya and show him that he was strong enough.
'How dangerous will this mission turn out to be...' Byakuya asked himself silently. 'Since it's a mission coming directly from Yamamoto-Soutaicho it's probably going to be extremely dangerous...' Byakuya didn't like the sound of it. His main priority was Rukia's safety and he wasn't going to let her get hurt. He would take care of any Menos that came along, he told himself that he would deal with them as quickly as possible. He knew Rukia was strong, he just didn't want her at any serious risks.
–
Once the two of them had reached the Kuchiki Mansion they went straight to their rooms until it was time for dinner. Rukia lied on her bed staring up at the ceiling. She had already showered and gotten packed, now she was just waiting for dinner time so she could eat and go to bed quicker...or maybe even take a walk in the gardens.
"Hopefully the mission will have a good start." Rukia said to herself. "Wonder what's going to happen...Guess we'll find out tomorrow."
Rukia then sat up and got out of bed, on her way to the dining hall for dinner.
–
Byakuya and Rukia sat across from each other at the dining table, waiting on the servants to bring out the food so they could begin eating and then head off to bed. The food was brought out moments later and the two of them began eating. As they ate in silence, Rukia took a quick glance at Byakuya, but quickly shifted her gaze back to her food when she saw him looking back at her.
"After dinner I need to speak with you, Rukia. We'll take a talk in the gardens." Byakuya said, catching Rukia's attention.
"Alright, Nii-sama." Rukia responded after giving a small nod to let him know she understood.
Soon after they finished eating and Byakuya stood and made his way outside with Rukia following behind him.
–
Rukia could guess what he wanted to talk to her about, 'Probably the mission...' she thought.
She followed him to a stone bench that could seat two people and it was positioned in front of a small pond. They sat down before Byakuya began speaking.
"Are you packed and ready for tomorrow?" He asked in his usual tone that was void of any emotion.
Rukia nodded, "I am."
"I'll wake you tomorrow morning since you would usually still be sleeping."
Rukia looked up at him to see that he was staring out at the pond that seemed to glisten in the moonlight. She guessed that he would just knock on her door a few times so there would be nothing to worry about.
"You should get some rest, Rukia." Byakuya said after a few moments of silence had passed between them.
Rukia looked over to him before nodding nervously, "Alright." She replied before standing up to start making her way towards her room. It was then that she noticed that Byakuya had stood too and was now walking beside her again. She looked up at him questioningly.
"Since our rooms are near one another I'll wall walk you to yours on my way back to my own." He explained.
"Oh." She responded before turning her head to look in front of her again so Byakuya wouldn't see the slight almost unnoticeable blush that was appearing on her face.
–
The rest of the walk was in silence, but when Rukia was inside of her room she suddenly poked her head out of the door to see Byakuya making his way down the hallway to his room.
"Goodnight, Nii-sama." She called, causing Byakuya to stop and turn towards her.
"Goodnight, Rukia..." He replied after giving her a single nod. He was surprised to see a smile on her face as a response, even if he didn't show his surprise on his face.
Rukia then closed the door to her room before Byakuya started to make his way back to his own once again.
To be continued...
I really wanted to get this out so here's chapter two! Hopefully it doesn't suck too bad. Sorry this one is so short as well, I'm thinking of letting the next update for this story be on Valentines Day. Idk, I just thought it would be nice to have it out then~
Please, Read & Review!
Just Remember, NO FLAMING!
