Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters, Tite Kubo does. I am simply writing this for my own amusement.
Chapter 2
Flying Slower then Shun Po
A tropical bleach?! They were going for two weeks to a tropical human resort?! Rukia's head swam. Tightening her hand on the strap of her bag, she took a deep breath and stepped through the gate right after Byakuya. A flash later, they were both standing outside in a deserted alley.
"Come this way. We have to arrive at the airport before our flight leaves." said Byakuya, who was already moving down the alley. Rukia blinked a few times before hurrying after him.
Much to her relief they were already on the airport grounds and they didn't have to walk to far before they were offered a cart for their luggage. Rukia sighed with relief as she heaved her heavy bags into the cart along with Byakuya's.
"Why do we have to fly, when they could have just opened the gate at the island?"
"The flight is all apart of the vacations experience, or so I have been told," Byakuya answered as he dug around in the front of one of his bags. Rukia watched as he lifted out two large slips of paper, their plane tickets.
"We had best hurry, our flight leaves in ten minutes."
Rukia could only watch in wonder as she walked a step behind Byakuya, who pushed the large luggage cart with ease. This was all so different then what she was used to. Seeing him like this, in the human world dressed as he was, strolling through a crowded modern center was almost to much to take in. He looked so normal and so different then the aloof Captain of the sixth division, and dressed as he was now, looked so much younger. Rukia couldn't help herself as she stared at him out of the corner of her eye. He was simply to gorgeous…
And apparently the majority of the female population they passed seem to agree with her. Was it just her imagination or were large numbers of females staring in their direction? For some reason Rukia bristled. How dare they make eyes at her Nii-Sama!
Huffing, she tried her best to ignore the stares and trotted up to his side, walking beside him rather then behind.
---
They arrived at the ticket counter shortly after. Quickly checking their luggage, they passed through security, which amazed Rukia and seemed to bore Byakuya..
The Kuchiki elders apparently had a hand in planning a portion of the trip as they now moved to the first class section, away from the squabbling and cramped lesser classes. Nothing but the best would suit the head of the Kuchiki clan, even in the human world.
Rukia rolled her eyes.
A few moments later Rukia nervously eyed her surroundings as they both walked down the isle of the plane to their assigned seats. They were all well spaced apart up here in the first class, leaving plenty of room for the passengers to stretch out comfortably.
"Here," Byakuya said stopping her.
Rukia, who was ahead, gingerly moved to the indicated seat, choosing the one closest to the window and sat down, only glancing back up when Byakuya sat down in the one beside her. She had kept her small personal bag with her which she now set down at her feet.
Shifting around nervously, she stared out the window to help take her mind off things. The plane had not left the runway yet, as passengers were still boarding, but even so she found the view, and watching all the humans running around, rather fascinating. Byakuya sat beside her looking uninterested as usual.
She glanced up at him again out of the corner of her eye. He was sitting straight in his seat, his back ramrod straight, with his eyes closed and his face expressionless.
"Excuse me, but I believe your sitting in my seat," came a woman's voice causing Rukia to look up again. Immediately she bristled.
"I believe you are mistaken," Byakuya said stiffly.
The tall busty woman fluttered her eyelashes at Byakuya. "Are you sure? Isn't this seat 22A?"
"It's 25A," Rukia snapped glaring at the woman who was obviously trying to flirt with Byakuya. She truly didn't know why, but this woman was sincerely irking her.
"Oh, alright. Sorry to bother you and your boyfriend."
"He's not-"
"I believe your seat is that way," interrupted Byakuya sharply.
The woman pouted then glared at Rukia, before turning and swaggering away.
Rukia snorted and looked away.
---
After about ten minutes a woman's voice came over the speaker. "Please fasten your seat belts as the flight is about to depart."
Rukia watched as the people around her reached for their belts and quickly buckled them. After doing the same she snuggled down in her seat and waited.
Byakuya watched her out of the corner of his eye. She seemed tense and nervous. He himself wasn't completely thrilled with the idea as well but he wasn't about to express that out loud.
Her hands suddenly clenched, her knuckles going white, as the plane suddenly began to move.
"There is nothing to be frightened about," Byakuya said trying his best to ease her obvious discomfort.
"I'm not scared!" Rukia said and stared at the back of the seat that was in front of her.
Byakuya stared at her slim pale hand that still clenched the arm rest.
The thought of taking it in his own, simply to comfort her, crossed his mind for a moment, but he quickly abandoned that idea, figuring that he'd end up causing her more stress in the long run.
Glancing around, Byakuya suddenly remembered the brochure he had received while boarding. He had absentmindedly handed it to her where she had just slipped it into her carry on bag.
"Do you still have that brochure I gave you?" he asked hoping it would distract her until they got airborne.
"What?" she asked startled.
"The paper you put in your bag." he said.
"Oh, right," she reddened a bit and quickly bent down and rummaged around in her bag.
"Here you are," she said handing the slightly crumpled add over.
Byakuya took it, and after smoothing it out, opened it and scanned its contents. Turning a page he glanced over it to see Rukia curiously looking at the back cover.
"What is it?" Rukia asked staring at the folded paper.
"A brochure advertising the resort we will be staying at," Byakuya replied turning the add over in his hands.
"May I have a look, Nii-sama?" she asked eyeing it nervously.
He wordlessly handed it over and watched as her eyes grew large as she opened the paper.
"Wow! Are we really going to be staying there?" she pointed to a large color picture of a high-rise hotel complete with crystal clear pools and palm trees.
"Yes," he replied.
"Wow…" she trailed off staring at the picture. Turning the page she gasped again. A large color spread showcased a large sandy beach, clear skies, and tall palms. After staring at the picture, she turned the page again and beheld a photo of a large exciting looking marketplace full of unique little shops and stands selling all kinds of things.
Byakuya turned his head and watched as she turned the pages staring at all resorts features.
"Wow, look at these hotel rooms!" she exclaimed, staring at the pictures of lushly furnished modern looking rooms. "Is our room going to be that fancy?"
"The best available suite was booked, so I should hope its at least of that standard." Byakuya replied.
Rukia glanced up at him to see him staring at her with his dark eyes. She flushed again slightly, and quickly went back to the add, turning the page.
Byakuya glanced across and out the window. All that met his eyes now were fluffy clouds and the new afternoon sky.
"Oh, look they are having a surfing contest while we're going to be there!" Rukia exclaimed, dragging his attention from the window to her again.
"Um, Nii-ssama… what's surfing?"
Byakuya resisted the urge to sigh. This was going to be a long flight.
Rukia dug around in her small bag that she had brought with her and produced her romance novel. They had been in the air for more then a few hours already and Rukia had been growing more and more restless. Byakuya had simply sat quietly, his eyes closed, and not said a single word since. Although, she couldn't help but notice that his back wasn't quite so straight and his long legs were now stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. He had also leaned forward about a half hour ago to remove his coat, as it was far from cold on the plane.
Settling back in her comfortable seat, she opened her book and set aside her Chappy bookmark.
"I wasn't aware that you liked those types of books," Byakuya suddenly said, breaking the long silence.
She looked up to find him staring at the cover which contained an embracing couple surrounded by black roses. Seeing him stare at that cover suddenly embarrassed her and she turned it over, hiding it from his view.
"Its just something to pass the time," she said, and for some reason she felt a blush threatening to grow. "I started reading them when I was staying in the human world. Orihime, Ichigo's classmate, lent me some of hers." She shrugged. "You just get to know the characters and you can't help but continue reading."
"I don't approve of such pointless inappropriate material," Byakuya said.
Rukia inwardly winced. "They're not that bad," she said "and I need something to pass the time don't I?"
Byakuya gave her another disapproving stare, but remained quiet.
Rukia, feeling uncomfortable, put her book back in her bag. Staring out of the window she amused herself by staring at all the different cloud formations.
"This is my first time on a plane," Byakuya suddenly said.
Rukia looked over in surprise.
Byakuya was staring at the seat in front of him. He didn't know why he had just said what he had, it had just kind of slipped out. Perhaps he had said it to relieve the growing tension between them, after all they would be spending the next two weeks together…But still… he was unused to sharing his feeling with anyone, even simple ones like he had just expressed. With his heart pounding just a bit faster Byakuya glanced over to Rukia to find her staring at him. Then, to his great relief, she suddenly beamed.
"Its my first time on a plane too," she said. "I actually was quite nervous about it until now."
"Many humans have died because of them," Byakuya answered but then mentally kicked himself when he saw the smile disappear from her face. "It is rare though, and they are quite strict about their safely measures," he quickly added, trying to mend the slip of his tongue.
The horrified look on Rukia's face lessened but her smile didn't return just yet.
"That last remark didn't make me feel any better," she said staring at him.
Byakuya opened his mouth but then closed it again, unable to come up with a reply. Rukia seeing that she had out played him for the first time, grinned in victory. Byakuya turned his head and promptly ignored her again.
Still grinning, Rukia turned back to the window.
"The sun is setting already," she exclaimed as she spotted the first star.
"Yes, I was informed that we wouldn't be arriving until well after midnight."
"That's just great," she muttered and suddenly winced as her stomach suddenly grumbled.
"Dinner will be provided shortly," Byakuya said in response.
Rukia blushed.
---
"This is so good!" she exclaimed momentarily forgetting who she was sitting beside.
Byakuya glanced at her. Rukia was hunched over in her seat practically devouring her dinner. True she hadn't eaten since breakfast, but still he was surprised at how she could pack it away. At home, she always ate so delicately and carefully. Here she was quite different, eating as she often did when she was with her friends. Perhaps the altitude was affecting her.
Their dinner was followed by their choice of three desserts. Rukia quickly choose the ice-cream sunday while Byakuya simply settled on a more simple slice of pie.
Rukia was all eyes when the desserts were brought.
"I never knew airplane food was this good!" she exclaimed munching away.
Byakuya, who carefully nibbled at his pie, couldn't help but silently agree.
---
After they had finished their meal the attendant came and took away the empty dishes.
"Would you like a pillow and blanket? We still have two hours before we land." she asked after setting the dishes on her tray.
"Alright," said Rukia resisting a yawn.
"How about you sir, would y-"
"No thank you," Byakuya replied stiffly. The attendants smile faltered a bit but was quickly returned as she glanced at Rukia. Passing Rukia a white fluffy pillow and a small but comfortable looking blanket, she turned and hurried on her way, disappearing down between the isle.
"You didn't have to be so short with her," muttered Rukia.
Byakuya glanced at her but didn't say anything.
Placing the pillow behind her head and tossing the blanket over her, and failing to notice that some of it had fallen across Byakuya's lap, she snuggled down in her seat and closed her eyes. The hours passed.
Rukia had drifted off quickly, her head titled towards him, barely a few inches from the top of his shoulder. The day had been stressful enough and he figured, by the way she was yawning all morning, that she probably didn't get all that much sleep last night. Turning his head he stared down at her sleeping face.. She looked so different asleep, awake she was always tense and refined around him, but now, with her face relaxed she looked so at peace.
Byakuya's eyes seemed to have a mind of their own as they stared at her pretty features. 'I never knew her eyelashes were that long and thick' he thought to himself staring at them. Her skin seemed to impossibility smooth and fare as well, as if she was made out of porcelain. Her thick hair was impossibly shiny and the darkness of her hair only enchanted her pale skin. He found that he could simply stare at her forever…
"Attention Passengers, we will be arriving at our destination in ten minutes. Please remain in your seats until we land."
Byakuya was jerked out of his thoughts as the sound of the pilot 's voice came over the speakers. Clearing his throat roughly, he moved to awaken her but found that she already had her eyes open.
"Did I hear that right?" she asked sleepily.
"We will be landing in ten minutes," Byakuya said stiffly.
"Finally," Rukia muttered lifting her arms and arching her back in a stretch, not noticing Byakuya's momentarily widening eyes.
They left the plane shortly after landing. Claiming their luggage, Byakuya led Rukia to a waiting taxi. Climbing in beside him she sat nervously, her hands twisting together in her lap. It was just after one in the morning here (and a lot later at home) and despite her nap on the plane, Rukia was obviously feeling it. Her head dipped a few times only to come shooting up moments later.
Byakuya watched her, more then a bit concerned, as the taxi drove through the streets. Thankfully the hotel wasn't all that far away and in no time at all, they were climbing out and being assisted with their luggage. Walking into the brightly lit lobby Byakuya didn't even glance around, more concerned with the half sleeping girl at his side. Claiming his key he led Rukia to the elevator, trusting the staff with their luggage.
"Are you alright, Rukia?" he asked as they stood side by side in the fancy gold and wood trimmed elevator.
She smiled weakly. "I'm just tired that's all," she said staring blurry eyed at the lit buttons.
Byakuya frowned slightly and suddenly placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"We're almost there," he said. "You can go right to bed then."
They arrived in their room with a sigh. Rukia simply dumped her pack that she had carried with her the whole way, on the floor and made one beeline for the first soft looking thing in the room: the sofa. She was asleep as soon as her body landed on it.
Byakuya stared at her in sympathy. He didn't outwardly show it himself, but he was positively bushed himself.
Hearing a tap on the door he answered it and found the door boy staining there with a cart containing their baggage. Giving the boy a generous tip Byakuya allowed the young man to carry in their stuff. Setting it down in the hall, the boy gave his thanks and left quietly.
Not bothering to look around to much Byakuya left the room and approached the sleeping Rukia. He had never really touched her before and he didn't want to wake her, but he just couldn't let her sleep the night away on that cramped looking sofa. Carefully he slipped his hands under her back and beneath her legs. Lifting her carefully he was momentarily surprised to find that she weighed almost nothing.
He cradled her against his body as he carried her to the bedroom. He suddenly froze though, when she suddenly stirred. But instead of waking she only snuggled against him, her head now resting on his chest.
Arriving in the room he, as gently as he could, laid her out on the large bed. Pulling the covers back he momentarily glanced around the room, then moved back to her sleeping form. Pausing only to remove her shoes, he picked her up again and laid her down in the uncovered sheets. Pulling the covers over her small body, he left the bedside. Reaching for the light Byakuya suddenly stopped, and instead, walked back out of the room to the main door.
Moving over to her abandoned pack he unzipped it and reached inside. During the trip over, when she had opened it for her book, he had noticed that she had taken a small plush with her. Lifting out the small bunny he took a moment to stare at it. It wasn't anything to fancy (he made a mental note to buy her a new one) and was worn in a few spots. However, it was obviously well loved. Moving back to the bedroom he carefully set the plush in the bed so that it was resting against her arm. Almost immediately she sighed in response and pulled it close against her small chest.
Putting a finger to his lips to prevent a small smile, he quickly turned, put out the light, and left the room.
Ah, poor Rukia. That jet lag must have really affected her. I hope the plane ride was accurate enough. I've never actually been on one myself, so all that I had to go on was what I've seen on TV. A Seinfeld episode drove most of my inspirations… you know… where Elaine has to ride in 3rd class and Jerry is in 1st?…
Ahem... anyway, a big thanks to: Velda, othchick11, LilyGirl101, sairypetshogun, MeoSua, Scarlettsky, Electra Red, Kuchiki Rukia-taichou, and blue. ocjian who took the time to review my first chapter. You guys gave me inspiration to post this chapter much earlier then I had expected. So keep them coming and I'll try and update again very soon! *hugs*
