Once again, I have returned. My fiancée and I were talking and he brought up a great idea, but I do believe a fellow author had the same idea. He suggested that I write different stories about the two, but I do recall someone already having that idea and I respect all originality. So, what I have come to terms with was this: I have decided to make this story full of trial and tribulations to prove two points. One: ByaRuki is totally awesome and two: love is always the answer! So, in making my decision, I hope you all enjoy this new story!

"Did I say something I wasn't supposed to?" he asked looking up from his task.

Rukia smiled as she held open the sack for him to place the leaves in, "No, not really. I am just a bit touched."

Byakuya carefully emptied his hands of the leafy contents and looked up at her. Rukia had a slight blush spread on her cheeks touched by a shy grin. She placed the sack inside of the now steaming tea pot and placed it back over the fire. She looked at him just as he was looking at her and there was an awkward silence.

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Rukia was about to open her mouth to acknowledge the silence when the kettle began to squeal. Byakuya gave a slight jolt and started for the handle, at the same time as Rukia. Her hand laid gently over his and she quickly pulled it away.

"I'm sorry." She blushed.

Byakuya set the kettle on the rock near by and looked at her in confusion.

"Why are you sorry, Rukia?"

She shrugged and pulled out a tea cup, when she realized she only had one. She looked up at him once more and placed it in front of him.

"You go first, I can wait." She offered.

Byakuya poured the tea in the cup, and slid closer to her side. He held it steadily with his right hand, and pulled her into a side embrace.

"We can share. It's getting dark outside and the cold is about to become intense; we need body heat to keep us warm." He explained gently, handing her the tea cup.

Rukia eyed him suspiciously, and gingerly took a sip from the nice, hot tea. He looked down at her and smiled at her facial expression.

"Do you not trust me anymore?"

"I don't know what you're up to, but I'm keeping an eye on you." She explained.

Suddenly, a blast of blistering cold air whipped through the cave giving her a feel of what was really outside. Her initial reaction caused her to curl up into Byakuya's chest and wrap her arms around him. It wasn't until he sighed when she realized what she was doing and slid away from him.

"I told you it was cold out." He smiled.

Rukia stood up and began searching of objects to block the cave entrance with.

"Rukia, what are you doing?" Byakuya asked as she rummaged around in the box.

"I am searching for something to block most of the cold breezes, if that's okay with you." She snapped back.

Byakuya sighed once again and stood up. With a swipe of his kitana, a large chunk of boulder slid off the wall and he simply rolled it to sit in front of the door.

"Happy now?" he called as he sat back in is spot and drank some more tea.

Rukia fumed, but not to the point to where it was noticeable. She pulled out a can of preserved berries and some rice made crackers and sat across form him.

"Are you hungry?" she tried to ask politely through her gritted teeth.

Byakuya nodded and set the cup down in front of him. He watched as she prepared him a few snacks and handed them over on a make shift plate. He looked carefully at the toppings and without hesitation popped it into his mouth. Upon further chewing, he realized that it was a mixture of strawberries and wild berries. He watched as Rukia savored the immaculate concoction, and noticed she was smiling.

"I take it these are your favorite flavors?" he asked.

Rukia had completely forgotten that she was even mad at him to begin with and nodded. Byakuya took it as an opportunity to convince her to come back home in the morning.

"You know you can always have them make this for you… back home." He offered.

Rukia clicked, but took into consideration the fact that he was actually trying.

"What else can I get?" she toyed.

Byakuya arched an eyebrow and looked at her. The moment would have been perfect, had it not been for the huge smudge of berries on her cheek. He held in a chuckle as he wiped the side of his own cheek, but Rukia did not catch on.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"You have a little something…" he replied pointing at her face.

She wiped, but in the wrong area, "Did I get it?"

He shook his head as she began to wipe all over the place, but that stubborn smudge would not go. Finally he had enough. He stood up and knelt over her, taking her face in his hands, and gently licked the berry mix off her face. Rukia looked into his eyes, furious at first, but there was just something in the way he held her that made her forget everything and lop her mouth over his.

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The fire wasn't quite dead yet, and the wind howled angrily outside. Rukia turned over on her side and kissed Byakuya's nose. In response, he pulled her closer against his bare chest and wrapped his arms around her naked body.

"I wonder how bad the snow is going to be tomorrow…" she mumbled against his chest.

"I'm pretty sure it's going to be very hard to manage, but we can do it." He answered.

Rukia looked up at his face and smiled, "Why so optimistic?"

He faced downward and looked deep into her eyes, "Because when you are with me, I feel like I can accomplish anything."

Rukia blushed hard and looked down into his chest hoping to avoid the after effects of his compliment. However… he knew better. He could feel the heat from her blushing cheeks and wrapped his arms around her.

Given the sounds coming from outside, Rukia soon fell fast asleep underneath the warm blankets and did not notice him leaving the make shift bed. Byakuya threw on his haori and wrapped his heirloom scarf around his neck; taking a deep breath, he gazed upon Rukia's face once more before quietly making his way out of the cave. It may have appeared that he was leaving her behind, but he knew he had to get her out of that cave soon before they become stuck in that cave for the rest of the winter….

Okay, so it's late and short please forgive! I have been going through a lot of crap these past few weeks and it has been giving me slight writer's block! As soon as I get this BS taken care of I promise I will devote a large chunk of my time to finishing a good story! ^.^