A/N: Hey readers! Before we dive into this, I wanted to address a couple of things. First off, I'm sorry about any grammatical or spelling errors you may encounter while reading this. I try very hard to edit, In fact, I usually read over my final draft three times before I submit. However, I have an issue with reading over mistakes a lot, maybe because it's my own work. I also have a beta, but she's currently working on another story of mine. So, unless someone wants to volunteer as my beta, bare with me. I think I'm pretty good at the whole grammar and spelling thing, but like I said, It's easy for me to skip over things. Especially with my chapters being so long. SN: I know I said these chapters weren't going to be long, and respectively, they're not . On my other story, my chapters range from 6,000-14,000 word pre, so this is actually pretty tame for me. Secondly, I wanted to clarify somethings about these characters, the biggest thing I want to clarify is that this is NOT an anti rukia story. I won't be bashing her, nor do I dislike her character. I just thought this was a really cool idea for a plot line. Also, I've had a few people write me and give their predictions to whats going to happen between Byakuya and Ichigo. If you happen to read my other story, you know I have a very specific way that I see Byakuya Kuchiki, I find him to be really complex and having many layers. Though, I think my way of characterizing him is different than a lot of other people, I've been told by quite a few people that they really like the way I write his character, hopefully you will too. Saying this, from the predictions people have given me, I think a lot of you may be surprised. If you're thinking Ichigo and Byakuya are going to do it and then just start dating and living happily ever after, you may be disappointed. Thats also my writing style, I write happy endings, not tragedies, but you have to work to get there. Lastly, I wanted to apologize for any reviews I didn't respond to, that's something I usually hold my self to because I really appreciate the support and the reviews, but this week has been crazy, so I was sadly unable to.

Warning: There is Ichigo and Byakuya smut in this chapter. Though I would like to say this about that, my lemons/yaoi's are usually WAY more graphic and detailed than what you're going to be getting in this chapter. The reason I'm making this scene somewhat cleaner is because I truly believe a good yaoi uses sex sparingly, as a means for tension within the story. To many hard core sex scenes can take away from tha tension, so I usually only have one very graphic and intense scene per story, which I usually wait to write until the climax(Pun totally intended.)

Good vibes! :)

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"I was driving,

taking chances.

Walking way too far out on

some broken branches.

Sometimes where you're going

is hard to see" -El Vy "No Time to Crank the Sun"

Curiosity

Ichigo walked silently behind the noble before arriving at an arch way with a mahogany door leading into a huge lounging area. The room was furnished with leather love seats and burgundy rugs. The sumptuous seraglio looked spacious enough to hold huge parties.

In the middle of the room was a billiards table, the adjacent wall held an impressive collection of hand carved billiard sticks. For the most part, the room was rather impressionable, much like Byakuya. Other than the billiards table, there was nothing in the room that showed Byakuya to be much more than his status.

Ichigo glared around the impressive room before watching Byakuya walk over to a long wooden cabinet, and pull out two bottles of sake and two glasses, only to sit the items down on a glass table top.

"This place is huge," Ichigo said somewhat awkwardly, placing a hand behind his head.

Walking over with cups in hand, the equitable man merely shrugged his shoulders before handing over the sake glass. "Oh this? I have plenty of rooms just like this one."

The new captain gave a breathy chuckle. "Figures, this place is bigger than my old high school." He smirked slightly before continuing,"One man all alone in this house, I was just playing when I told Rukia I thought you might be a vampier, but now, I'm not so sure."

Before taking a sip of his sake, Byakuya flatly replied,"Why do you think I invited you in?"

Ichigo actually choked slightly on his sake before throwing the man a bewildered look.

"Joking, Kurosaki. I can do that, you know," he clarified.

"Well you can't blame a guy for being confused, I don't think I've ever seen you smile, let alone tell a joke," Ichigo chuckled, walking over to replenish his sake cup. "You should do it more often," he turned around before continuing, giving the man a sly grin. "People wouldn't be so scared of ya', you seem more human that way."

"Perhaps I like it that way," Byakuya said flatly while giving the boy a particular look, noting Ichigo had already downed his second cup and was preparing his third. "That bottle cost more than your house, child. Must you be so avaricious?"

Drinking his third cup in a shot like fashion, he let out a refreshed sigh before gesturing around the room with his hand. "Something tells me you don't have trouble keeping the alcohol stock piled, especially if you're freely letting me drink something that damn expensive."

The raven haired man grimaced at his guest's presumptuous and blunt nature. Byakuya let out a supercilious chuckle, "I'd expect nothing less from a rash youth like your self. I can see why Rukia's keen to you," the noble spoke flatly, yet sarcastically. "So pleasant and well mannered."

Turning to pick up the Sake bottle once more, Ichgio replied,"It's that special charm I have, what can I say?" He continued with a frustrated scowl, "but can we please not talk about Ruk-" His eyes widened, realizing that he better chose his words more carefully. After a brief moment of thought and his eyes darting around the room, he continued,"Um- I mean, let's play pool."

He went to pour the sake, but jolted slightly at the feeling of unfamiliar contact. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a pair of stone cold eyes filled with severity. Though the voice that came out was much more docile than the accompanied facial features,"Fine, but truly, it's not about the cost, you need to pace your self." Ichigo almost thought he heard a slight inflection in the nobles voice, one associated with concern, but the raven haired man continued with a voice of detachment. "It isn't as if the bottles are going any where."

Of late, Ichigo had changed. Thought he didn't want to, Byakuya took notice. How could he not? The boy's whom mere existence irked him had completely lost his fire, the same fire that Byakuya claimed to despise. Since Ichigo had arrived in the Soul Society permanently, the once erratic, yet warm aura that drew people in had been replaced by a sobering presence, only to be defined as detached and sometimes callous. It was as if the new captan was merely wading in the water that had become his new life, his new indifference was in stark contrast to the man's usual passionate charisma. Everyone must have taken notice to this sudden change.

That was not the perplexing part. What Byakuya found so dangerously aberrant was how much it concerned him. Yes, it certainly deviated from the nobles usual actions. Firstly, he rarely ever involved him self in others emotional plights, feeling as if it wasn't his place. However, the fact that this was Ichigo was what made it so extraordinary. Hadn't he always had a distaste for the new captain's offbeat and audacious personality? Didn't that devil-may-care charm always challenge who Byakuya was fundamentally? So why was Byakuya trying to revive it, why did he find him self trying to give oxygen to Ichigo preverbal fire? For that, he was unsure of. All he knew is that the sight of Ichigo's dimming light was putrid, and despite his brain arguing to the contrary, every synapse in his body was signaling for action, telling him to help kindle that fire. In fact, in the garden was the first time Byakuya had seen a glint of that old flam, if he was being honest, that's why he allowed him in.

For that reason, Ichigo trying to use alcohol to cope with his growing indifference was something Byakuya couldn't abide, he knew how easily that could lead into a destructive and dismal path. However, Ichigo wouldn't be so easily swayed.

Ichigo ripped his wrist from the mans grasp before pouring another glass, "Yeah, but I might be," he mumbled begrudgingly. "Knowing you, I'm probably over staying my welcome as is."

Ichigo had never been much of a drinker, but from the couple of times he had been drunk, he noticed he was an emotional drunk. Rather that emotion be happiness, anger, or sadness, he expressed those emotions to there fullest, which was exactly what he wanted. Since his arrival in the Soul Society, Ichigo's emotional state could be described as passive and one demential, it seemed all he could feel was a desolate emptiness, that was sometimes accompanied by the sting of loneliness. Even in his loneliness, the sadness that came from it was dull and mute, only noticeable because it was the only emotion he felt other than an all encompassing apathy. The sadness was like a leak in the attic that you can't get rid of. You're habituated to the dripping, most days you don't even hear it, but when you do, it's just an annoyance that get's under your skin; not enough to ever fix the leak, but enough to be bothersome. So the leak stays, barely noticeable, but still as a constant reminder of the rotting foundation that you're unable to fix.

He almost wished he had a resolute sadness, a tenacious and unbending agony that silenced the emptiness. At least then, he would feel something, perhaps more connected. Anything would be better than the goggles of indifference suctioned to his soul, skewing and twisting who he was, and the way he saw life. This must be what depression felt like, a constant dull nothingness that changes the person you thought you were.

In fact, Byakuay's presence was the only thing that seemed to invoke emotion and excitement, and he didn't want that to end. For this reason, he was downing sake at an unreasonable rate.

"Of course you are," came the reply, accompanied by a slight smirk on the man's face. "You wouldn't be Kurosaki if you weren't, but still, I'm not completely heartless, I won't let you leave after consuming so much alcohol."

Byakuya wasn't fawned of the idea of Ichigo drowning his sorrows with sake, however, if the boy had time to unwind, and express the frustrations he had been holding back, then perhaps it would help him recover some of that fire. Again, Byakuya was unsure of why he cared, and he didn't even want to ask him self why he wanted Ichigo to unload on him, for he was sure the answer was something he didn't want to know. Yet, he resolved him self, deciding it was worth it if it would wipe that look of apathy off the usually passionate man.

Walking over to grab two pool sticks, Byakuya handed one to Ichigo, who is now starting to feel the effects of the alcohol."Let's play, but I must warn you, this will be embarrassing for you, I'm quite proficient at this game," Byakuya rose a challenging eye brow before setting up the table.

Ichigo snorted slightly, using the pool stick to keep his balance as he stumbled slightly. "I kind of just thought this was for show, I didn't think your proficiency," he spoke in a playful, yet mocking tone. "With stick like objects, went beyond slicing and dicing." He gave a drunken hiccup before continuing, "Basically, I thought your only hobbies included, striking fear of in hearts of people, andddd," he dragged his words out playfully. "Scowling."

Byakuya let out a scoff before replying, "You know what they say about making assumptions, Kurosaki. I'm more dynamic than you would think." The raven haired noble cocked his eyebrow at the younger man, addled by the beaming smile on the man's flushed face. Even more so perplexed by how dazzling he found it. "What?" he asked.

Ichigo bit his lip slightly before shaking him self from his inner thoughts, "I was just thinking that I really like being wrong about you," he let out a breathy chuckle, "Isn't that funny, I usually hate being wrong, but this time, it's pretty cool." A brief epoch of time passed while the two shared short unreadable glances. Finally, Ichigo broke the silence, ignoring the flustering warmness he felt at Byakuya's gaze. "Any way- I'm pretty horrible at pool." Giving the man a shit eating grin, he teased, "Maybe we've finally found something you're better at than me."

Chalking his pool cue, Byakuya replied with a scoff. "You mean other than having manners and being civilized?"

Walking over to the impossibly handsome man, Ichigo yanked the chalk away, "Let me clarify, something you're better at that's actually important."

With a shake of his head, Byakuya walked to the table, and the game began.

They played with little conversation as Ichigo continued to drink, and Byakuya continued to win. Stepping back to look at the table and then back to Ichigo, he stated, "I think you were under exaggerating your abilities, you're absolutely horrible. Have you even played pool before? I'm surprised you didn't start using the opposite end of your pool stick."

If this had been another time, Ichigo would have probably became defensive, and immediately challenge the man to a re match, feeling the need to reclaim his pride. Yet in his drunken state, he was to carefree and jaunty to care. "Eh, I kind of thought that since I'm so bad when I'm sober, that the alcohol would work in my favor."

"I can see that plan worked out well for you," Byakuya teased sarcastically. "Stick to wielding a zonpakuto, that was humiliating."

Shaking his head, Ichigo wobbled over to place his stick back on the wall. "Yeah, I just glad I didn't make this a drinking game or you really would have a drunken mess on your hands."

Taking note of Ichigo's breezy disposition, Byakuya thought to him self, 'I'm not sure I don't already.'

"What do you take me as, some twenty something? I don't play drinking games," he hissed.

The susurrus of belittlement rolled right off of Ichigo's shoulders. He walked over to the opulent man and took his cup, letting his grasp mingle with the noble's lithe fingers for a brief moment. "Well maybe you should, you're sober as a nun, no fair, I can't be the only one with fucked up judgment." He cocked an eye brow before walking back over to the sake, now opening a third bottle.

If he didn't know any better, he would have said he was flirting. The jolt of heat and playful nature he felt around the man was a new feeling all together. Though, considering Ichigo had never felt feelings such as lust or flirtation before, and the fact he was three sheets to the wind, he didn't take much mind to it. His drunkenness clouded his mind to the point he didn't even question that sensation, just enjoyed it. He chalked his new attitude up to his inebriation.

"Unlike you, it takes more than two shots to do me in. Even so, I don't get like you when I'm drunk, so I don't know what you'd expect. I'm pretty much as unflappable as I am in my normal state."

Ichigo poked out a lip slightly and scowled, still taking the opportunity to fill the noble's glass. "Wow, that really is no fun. Isn't the point of drinking to loosen up?" Ichigo replenished his cup for the tenth time now, continuing before he downed his drink, "Isn't it about being a truer version of your self, ya know, without all the judgment and bullshit getting in the way?"

A fugacious glint of sadness filled the boys honey orbs before his halcyon demeanor returned. Once more, he was all smiles, trying to hide his sadness. Byakuay couldn't help but feel a tug at his soul, and with that, he decided drinking with Ichgio was a small price to be payed, if it would only make him happy for a moment.

Walking over to the boy, he picked up the already full glass and downed it in a shot like fashion, only to repeat this three more times, completely unfazed. Ichigo just stared at the regal man, memorized by the sight.

"There," he hissed. "However, I won't be getting lose or whatever you call it."

Ichigo couldn't help but to smile at the way Byakuay chose to show compassion. Most people would bombard him with questions and nag him about his new demeanor. Byakuya was different. His way of helping was subtle, yet equally dulcet. On some level, he understood Ichigo. He understood Ichigo didn't want to be pitted or dotted upon, that would only make him feel smaller and hurt his pride. No, Ichigo needed honestly and tough love. He needed witty conversation and company that understood action was more potent than words, he needed the type of compassion that only Byakuya could give.

At this, the pair sat on one of the many leather love seats and fell into conversation.

"So, how are you adjusting to your new position as captain?" inquired Byakuya.

Pursing his lips thoughtful, he responded,"It's going good, I guess."

Byakuya rolled his eyes slightly. The alcohol was doing it's magic, he was feeling a bit more loquacious. "You're killing me with detail, Kurosaki," he spat back.

Ichigo returned the gesture before replying, "Sarcasm noted, um-well," and with that, Ichigo allowed the alcohol to do it's magic also, now opening up. "It's okay, It's just…I guess I'm a little worried. I've never been in charge of a group like that, I've never been someones leader." He pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation before continuing, "I'd hate my self if my inexperience got someone killed, ya know."

The noble gave the man a serious look before responding with complete sincerity, "Kurosaki, you've been leading people for years now, maybe not by choice, but either way, you've been leading the Soul Society out of darkness for quite sometime…" He grimaced at his next words, "Even I have to admit, you're a natural born leader. So don't underestimate your self, your subordinates can sense your doubt. When the situation arises, you'll know how to protect your squad.

Feeling somewhat perplexed by the nobles words, Ichigo's feature's gapped. Once again, the new captain found him self happily wrong. In fact, he found him self over indulging in the felicity of the moment, and for some unbeknown reason, he caught him self appreciating the eloquence of the man. Not only did he feel a great warmness churning at his words, but the porcelain skin and the calm sea of coal gray orbs seemed to have him hooked. So much so, he didn't even realize that he'd been staring. What were these feelings? Why was he hypnotized by Byakuya's beauty, and since when did he start thinking Byakuya was beautiful? Even with the alcohol, once he broke the spell, he had to question his own actions.

Though, despite not understanding his own feelings, Ichigo did understand his wanton need to know more about the man. Startled he was by the noble's ability to empathize and do so in such a way that Ichigo didn't feel belittled or pitted, he felt understood. This only aided in his curiosity, making him wonder what what else he could unearth about the man.

When Ichigo finally realized he had been quiet for an unusual amount of time, he filled the silence. "I didn't know you had a heart Byakuya, surprise,surprise," he teased with a gentle smile.

Byakuay teased back with a subtle smirk plastered on his face, "don't tell anyone, okay? I do have a reputation to uphold." To Byakuya's dismay, he felt his heat jolt as the honey brown eyes and flushed cheeks looked upon him with such earnestness. Ichigo had on a face of child like jubilance, a face Byakuya hadn't seen in a while. That one expression filled him with more warmness than he'd felt in a long time. A feeling similar to relief, mixed with happiness. He couldn't understand why this man imbued such emotions from him. It was dangerous territory, getting this close to someone. Still, Byakuya couldn't help but be gentle with the boy in these moment.

Even more frightening, he found him self wanting to touch Ichigo, to reach out and touch his lips with his own, a feeling that had been lost on him for years. That was the way Byakuya like it, he didn't want anyone to become to close to him again, he didn't want to be distracted from his position. For that reason, Byakuya felt a great uneasiness at Ichigo's presence, and the way he looked at him with such animation. However, he was also pleased to see Ichigo somewhat resembling his old self, that he dared not stop. If anything, these lewd thought were the alcohol's doing and could easily be avoided.

Byakuay added on in a slightly harsher tone,"Of course, if you're going to be a captain of the Gotei, then you must learn to stop with the crying, you're not a little girl."

Ichigo scoffed indigently,"Yeah, coming from the guy in a fucking dress."

"This is not a dress," Byakuya snapped back,"It's traditional Japanese clothing, and much better than those rags you're wearing."

Ichigo laughed at how defensive Byakuya had became, smirking helplessly at the exquisite man. "It's okay Byakuya," he muttered through laughter, "You pull off a dress better than most men, Id even go as far as to say you're beautiful."

The truth behind his words were missed by Ichigo, he was so throughly sloshed that he payed no mind to his own flirting. The words came out as naturally as any others.

Byakuya was certainly effected by the words, he found him self blushing like a school girl and grappling for words. Falling back on his natural defensive, he dawned a look of complete indifference. "Tell me," he demanded. "Why were you crying in my garden?"

Ichigo went from hysterical laughter to extremely demur in an instant. He adverted his eyes and spoke meekly, "I-um- I told you, remember. Gzz, are you that self absorbed? You can't even remember what I said an hour ago." Ichigo put on an offend glare, hoping to hide his true anguish.

The noble gave the man a knowing look before replying, "Yes, you said you and Rukia had a disagreement, but you've been upset for a while now, correct?"

Scrunching his eye brows and tugging at his bottom lip, Ichigo responded, to drunk to hold back the truth. "You noticed, huh?"

Giving the man a side ways glance, he continued flatly, "When the pain of my existence stops being a pain in my ass, how am I not to notice?"

Ichigo smiled at Byakuya's compassion wrapped in an insult, it was true Byakuya fashion. "I'm glad to know I have such an effect on you," he teased, earning him a death glare from Byakuya, signifying for him to be serious.

The new captain had a wistful look in his eyes as he looked away, his once vivacious demeanor now becoming much more somber. "It's because…well, I guess I've felt empty..and lonely." He grimaced at the truth behind his own words before continuing, "I know it's stupid, I should be happy and feel fulfilled, but I feel like I had no choice in this decision, like I've had every possibility taken away from me before I even knew I wanted them…I'm lonely for the possibilities." His voice became contained with anguish as he tried to hold back the tears, the alcohol was only a catalyze for his sadness, one he couldn't fight. A single tear ran down his cheek as he continued, "I'm not missing all the things I won't be able to do, I'm wishing I took the opportunity to figure out what it was I wanted out of life, so I could at least know what to miss. Now it's like…I don't know…I just miss this endless void of possibilities, I don't even feel real without them…" He shook his head in dismay and let out a breathy chuckle in hopes to negate some of his sadness. "You probably wouldn't get it…It's stupid, I k-"

Ichigo's words were cut off by a tender, yet strong hand cupping his cheek and wiping away the tear. Byakuya turned Ichigo's flushed, twisted face to met his own, looking into the confused eyes with his sever ones. A part of him wasn't sure what he was doing, his body was once again reacting without the permission of his mind. A need to comfort the boy and a sickness at the sight of his sadness seemed to be the culprit behind his actions.

Despite his own shock, his want to comfort Ichigo negated his doubt. "Stop calling your self stupid," his habitually serious voice seemed more docile, barely above a whisper. "That's not stupid at all and I do get it. I've never had a choice to be anyone other than who I am, it's my birthright…and even thought I don't mind.." His sentence trailed off, for he seemed as surprised by his own honesty as Ichigo did. Still making impenetrable eye contact with the man, he continued, "how could I not feel a certain degree of emptiness when my whole identity was decide upon before I was even born?"

Ichigo's gapped features stayed glued to the beautiful man before him as he tried to form words with his parted lips. Briging his hand up to Byakuya's, he held it against his cheek momentarily, "Byakuya, I never knew-"

Ichigo cut him self off when he felt the warmness of Sake spill all over his lap, "Shit, fuckkkk," he cursed out, noting he had spilt the glass of Sake in his free hand.

Standing up, he started to take off his pants, to which Byakuya let out an involuntary gasp."What are you doing?"

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at the man and gave him a look of amusement, "um, I'm getting out of these pants, they're fucking drenched."

Standing to attention, Byakuya announced that he'd retrieve a servant and tell them to fetch Ichigo a change of clothes.

Ichigo countered as exspected, "I'm not wearing one of those dresses, don't worry, the'll dry by the time I leave in the morning."

This didn't deter the man, he stood up and turned to leave while objecting, "nonsense, I'll-" In his frantic and fluster state, Byakuay tripped over a rug, only to be caught by Ichigo.

Discombobulated by his unusual gawky manner, Byakuya felt like a bumbling idiot, completely subdued by Ichigo's touch. Coal orbs looked towards Ichigo's gapped face with a mutted seriousness. He dawned a simple and honest smile, which elicited a full body shutter from Byakuya, his body physically responding to Ichigo's warm aura.

"You're slow, even when you're falling," Ichigo teased.

For a brief moment, both men had their hooks in each other, neither able to allude the magnetic hold that kept them both in place. Each trapped within the will of a moment, passively observing each other in silence. The ephemeral moment of mutual captivation ended when Ichigo's eyes widened and his face became inflamed with humiliation.

Unwrapping him self from the noble, he turned away quickly, lowering his head in shame. "Uh-sorry about that-may-maybe you should go get me those change of clothes."

Finding the boys behavior odd and capricious, Byakuya grabbed his forearm and forcefully turned him around. "What has gotten into you, you're acting od-"Byakuay was cut off by quite a jarring sight, his mouth stumbling over words as he took it in. Ichigo stood, head still bowed in shame with an undoubtable rock hard erection. His whole length outlined by the tightness of his boxer briefs.

When Byakuay found his words again, he found him self furious as the result of his own rising desire. "Kurosaki, what do you think you're doing?" Byakuya boomed out, deflecting his own fluster state

The new captain's face was a combination of humiliated and angry as he grappled for his pants, having a hard time figuring out how to put them back on in his blitzed state. "What do you mean, what am I doing?! I didn't fucking plan this! What the hel- Ow fucking, jesus christ." Ichigo cursed, accidentally brushing against his own throbbing erection. "Shit, this hurts." He took a frustrated sigh and dropped his pants in defeat. "I don't think I've ever been this hard, I didn't even think you could be so hard when you got drunk," Ichigo groaned out.

With his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose and one hand placed on his hip, Byakuya gave the man a serious glare. "God, you're not helping. Can you not control your self? If I knew just how lewd you were, I wouldn't have invited you here."

Ichigo became noticeably crestfallen by the thoughtless words of the crass man. This wasn't something he could help nor had hoped for. In fact, he was unaware that his feelings towards Byakuya were sexual attraction until his body let him in on the secret. The youth was adrift from him self, knocking on doors in hopes to answer the quintessential question of who he wanted to be. Ichgio never expected for Byakuya to be the one to answer his knock.

Ichigo turned around to face away from Byakuya, leaving an unnerving silence between the two as Ichigo took in the irony of the situation. His anger came out in the form of light chuckles, for he was almost amused by how fucked this situation was. "God, fucking life, man." The effects of the alcohol were making him quite loquacious and emotional, as waves of intense anger, humiliation and sadness crashed into him interchangeably. Because of this, Ichigos's brash and blunt nature was intensified, as he no longer felt any need to bite his tongue. "This isn't what I wanted, you know..I didn't even know.." He turned around, letting his anger be the catalysis for such bold words,"do you want to know why Rukia's mad at me?" he asked rhetorically, not giving the man time to respond. "Because, she..she told me she was in love with me and she came onto me." He shook his head in disbelief, once again chuckling at the situation. "Ha-I've never felt that before, just one more thing I never gave a fucking thought to before I came here, so when she told me, I really wanted to try, to see if what I felt for her was what she feels for me, but…well your body doest lie, does it?"

Taking in the nobles placid, yet perplexed features at full attention, he continued, "I thought I was defected, that I was incapable of feeling that way. So imagine my surprise when this situation rose up." He clenched his fist and set his jaw, "This isn't what I fucking wanted, trust me, if it was my choice, I wouldn't have chosen you, I wouldn't have chosen a guy.."

A pang of remorse enveloped the noble, causing him to cringe internally at his own callous nature. He was caught off guard, and in the face of his own copious desire, he instinctively drew back to his usual defense mechnisim; heartlessness. As mature as Ichigo was, Byakuya sometimes forgot how inexperienced and green he must be. This was his first time really being attracted to someone in such an intense manner, it must be humiliating to receive that reaction while simultaneously realizing his sexuality.

Another point of concern was his sisters infatuation with Ichigo. Surely, it wasn't unexpected, though he never actively thought on it, her having romantic feelings for Ichigo seemed only natural. Earlier in the night, he felt her dampened spiritual pressure leave the mansion, so he knew she must have been highly effected by Ichigo and her's altercation, but he would have never assumed just how intimate of a pain she must have been feeling.

Byakuya couldn't help but feel sympathy for them both, each left dejected and disconnection in the aftermath of Ichigo's rejection. Yet the scintilla of relief was what really tore at his morals. Certainly, he didn't want Rukia unhappy, but to his utter dismay, the image of the two happily intertwining their lives brought about feelings of unsolicited yearning and regret. In the light of his own selfish wants, the noble felt so small and so debased.

Though it seemed his guilt, reluctance, and desire were causing an internal war, each emotion fighting its way for a place at the forefront of his mind. It only riddled Byakuya with questions, questions of why Ichigo yielded such deep emotions from him.

Byakuya hadn't been with anyone since the passing of his wife for very specific reasons. The noble was to upstanding and courtly to bed someone without the intention of having a serious relationship. In fact, despite him finding a few chosen people passively attractive, he had to have sincere sentimental feelings towards a person to truly want their body. In that lied the problem, Byakuya felt a rapacious hunger for the boy, a draw to touch him, play at his body like an instrument, make him completely malleable to his will, aquiver with pleaser. Something Byakuya undoubtedly wouldn't feel without some feelings towards the boy

At the revalation, Byakuya rubbed his temples in frustration. This was dangerous territory, for he was unconfortably close to being completely smitten with the man, which was impossible and completely unthinkable. Deep in the void of Hisana's passing, Byakuay let any ties to a life of love die with her. The pain of her passing left the man emotionally ransacked. After the realization that he abandoned rules for a women who could never completely return his love, and the anguish turned into a dull sadness, the man resolved him self to never be blinded by matters of the heart. The pillars that build his foundation were that of obstinance and heartlessness, and from that day on, he lived as such, constantly hiding from the warmness of affection. For this reason, he needed to cut this off at the head.

With a stone face and detached voice, Byakuya replied, "There's nothing wrong with being gay, you just can't be that way with me.'

Ichigo scoffed indigently, "Thanks for stating the obvious." His voice was constrained as he held back tears, refusing to let the man see him be weak. Though, in his drunk state of mind, he decided that, while he was already there with his pants down, he figured that nothing he could say would make this situation more mortifying. The wistful man continued, stifled by his own yearning, "you know, when I was fifteen, my dad sat me down for the talk. He said, 'son, when it's the right person you'll know. It's an unexplainable sensation, it's something you have to feel to understand.' He said, 'don't waste your first time on someone who makes who feel like a candle, wait for someone who makes you feel like a house-on-fire. That when someone's really got your heart, it's like every cell is drawing you towards them, despite all logic'.." he pursed his lips as he finished, "I never understood or cared about that talk, not until right now…because.." He clenched his jaw and adverted his eyes as he mumbled the next words. "This is the first time I've felt this way."

More demure than Ichigo had ever seen the regal man, Byakuay replied meekly, "I shouldn't be anyone's first experience. You know me, Kurosaki, well enough to know that I'm incapable of giving you the emotions you deserve from a lover. I'm not that breed of man." His voice was cold, yet dimer than usual, as if he was having to convince him self of that. "You're a child, you should go find someone more fitting, someone capable of reciprocating your feelings."

Even if Byakuay wanted to give into his lust and drop his resolve, he couldn't do that to Ichigo. He knew him self to be heartless and cold, despite these efflorescent sentiments towards the younger man, he knew he would only hurt Ichigo. He could never let anything surpass his position in his thoughts nor heart, not again, and for that reason, he would only push him away, leaving him feeling forsaken.

If that wasn't enough, Byakuya almost felt like a predator, lusting over such a young man. Though his youth didn't show in many ways, Byakuya knew there was still an innocent part to Ichgio, a part not yet jaded. The last thing he wanted to do was corrupt that.

Something in Byakuya's words flipped a switch in Ichigo. Something about the tone in his voice was hesitant and almost regretful, as if he was unsure of his own rejection. The younger man remembered Rukia's words of how Byakuya had to be pushed into caring. If the noble was going to give into his own lust, he would have to be cornered by it, unable to hide from the truth of his own desire. With a more confident and deliberate look, Ichigo took a step towards the raven haired man, and pulled his shirt over his head to revile his defined stomach, glistening from alcohol induced sweat. Moving closer to the glacier like man, he made intense eye contact before asking, "do I look like a child to you?"

Despite the inciting view, Byakuay shook his head in frustration, ready to reprimand the younger man. That was until he was pulled into a pair of sake scented lips and he momentarily forgot all else, Ichigo's sloppy kisses were amnesia inducing.

Breaking from the kiss, Byakuya held his forehead to Ichigo's, shutting his eyes tightly in hopes to hold on to his slipping resolve. "We really cant."

Ichigo licked his lips and put on a more docile look, Byakuya couldn't help but to think he'd never seen anyone look so breathtakingly sexy, yet innocent at the same time. "I want you to show me, show me what it's like," he huffed out, lust muffling his voice, "I don't care what happens tomorrow, I just want to know what its like to be with someone who makes my body feel this way."

Though he was objecting, Byakuya knew he was slowly losing his resolve. His body was responding whole heartily to Ichigo's advances. "You'll regret this decision. You're to drunk to be making these decisions." He tried to pull him self away while declaring his lack of interest, but the sensation of Ichigo pulling his hips back in and sliding his knee under his garment stopped him in his tracts.

Rubbing Byakuya there, Ichigo felt the hardness of his full length, "I knew it," Ichigo smirked confidently. "You can lie but your body can't." Whispering, his tepid breath millimeters from Byakuya's ear sent chills penetrating through his last bit of will power, "take me."

As the last bit of resolution slipped from his fingers, Byakuya thought about the prospect of sleeping with Ichigo. Though it was out of character, the noble was trying to find justification that would make this somehow okay. Perhaps it would be better if he was Ichigo's first time, at least he would have the luxury of knowing Byakuya was being straight forward with him, something not guaranteed by others. Ichigo could easily fall victim to a player willing to manipulate his emotions just to get a quick fuck. At least with Byakuya, he would understand that it was a one time thing, he would know upfront to not get attached.

This way, Byakuya could give Ichigo a sensational first exsperince, he could show him how it's suppose to feel when it's with someone you truly want. And since Byakuay also found him self with new and unexplainable feelings towards the boy, he knew the experience would have the same warmness, earnestness, and passion that it should have when it's right, just without the ties of commitment. Byakuya could give him a magical night off perfection, only as the aurora rose and the curtain closed on the darkness, it would also close on their love affair.

In his lust filled and slightly intoxicated state of mind, Byakuya truly believed he could shut out any feelings towards the man once the night ended. Perhaps they wouldn't dissipate, but surely he could ignore them until they grew dormant and almost non existent. Byakuya was the king of veiling his emotions after all.

Little did he know, the intoxicant that was Ichigo's affection couldn't simply be thought away.

"Fine," the man growled lightly, now holding Ichigo's hips tightly. "If you want me to show you, i'll oblige, but only once." He searched Ichigo's face for hesitation before lifting the blitzed man up and hoisting him over his shoulder.

"What the fuck, Byakuay?" Ichigo boomed out, waving his extremities wildly. "Where are we going?"

"You didn't think I would take you in there, did you? I have more class than that." Byakuya's voice had an unusual playfulness and challenging inflection to it, desire was now taking over the situation.

"I didn't think you were going to literally take me. I'm not a fucking thing, ya kno-" Ichigo's angry whines were cut off by Byakuya opening the door to his bed chambers and carelessly slinging the man on the bed.

Ichigo laid back on his elbows with his head spinning, completely dazed from his surprise trip. Panting, he looked up at Byakuya's sultry, yet serious coal orbs as he slowly disrobed. The sensual man was going slow enough to allow Ichgio to take note of every provocative moment. Dawning a come hitter look, Ichigo licked his lips in anticipation, wanting nothing more than to touch the beauty in front of him. However, Byakuya seemed in no hurry.

The aluring man stood completely exposed, his strikingly gorgeous body highlighted by the dimming sunlight cascading shadows over his refined muscles. Like a predator sizing up his prey, he knelt on the bed in front of Ichigo, whom was looking particularly inviting and opened up, his whole body waiting for Byakuya.

The noble loomed over the flustered man, taking in the tight perfect body before lowing himself right above Ichigo. Supporting him self on his forearms, his lips hovered directly above Ichgio's trembling one. He lifted the young man's chin up with a tender tug before peppering kisses on the soft skin

"Listen," the sincere voice broke through the sweltering passion of the moment like rays of bright warm sunlight. "I want you to remember this and know that this is what it should always feel like. You're only to give your body to someone if they can truly set your skin on fire. You deserve nothing less." At the sight of radiant honey orbs giving Byakuya a look of affirmation mixed with bashfulness, he could no longer wait. He wrapped Ichigo in his arms before whispering, "But tonight, that beautiful body is mine."

The noble worked his lithe fingers over Ichigo's entirety, he moved meticulously and painstakingly slow, making Ichigo's body writhe and arch with each lick, kiss, and nibble. The thorough man inflicting a concoction of sensual pleasure that teetered on the edge of pain, for the sensation was to great. Every part of him was being prodded and traversed by the noble. He took great pleasure in exploring every crevasse of the boy while experimenting, seeing which spots yielded the loudest moans of pleasure. Mellifluous wails filled the room with an even thicker lust, the air was surging with electricity as they found their own spiritual pressure's to be suffocating.

Still, Byakuya was unyielding and relentless, adding suction to Ichigo's curved cock while probing his entrance, making sure to massage his most sensitive area extra carefully. The boys screams of euphoria became so loud that the noble covered his mouth with his free hand, subjugating the younger man's moans while he continued to suck, only to feel Ichigo's warm thick release enter his mouth. Yet, for the older man, he wasn't even close to done. This passionate tryst would be there only, and Byakuya planed on making it count, and despite how long it had been for the man, he knew how to make this last throughout the night. Forgoing all logic and rational, Byakuya would give into his cardinal desires and let him self fully enjoy and feel the full extent of their closeness, even if it made giving it up harder. In such a moment, with their bodies merging and their souls dancing with each others, how could Byakuya not sub come to the inescapable grasp of his own affections? He was unsure when these feelings came about, or why he hadn't realized sooner, but the noble was completely enchanted.

As for the writhing strawberry, he felt equally overcame with emotions, having never felt such a connection with another person. For he knew that these feelings went beyond sex because if anyone else touched him in this way, he was certain it wouldn't be the same. No, this wasn't your run of the mill sexual attraction, it was suffocating and daunting, but it the best possible way. In those moments, Ichigo tried to suppress the words of the noble, forgetting that this would be the only time he would get to feel this electricity. If anything, he tried to be grateful for being able to experience something so magical at least once and lose him self to the fantasy that was this love affair. Perhaps, if he willed it hard enough, the sun would never rise.

Their activates did in fact last through most of the night, leaving Ichigo utterly drained. Even if he wanted to continue, his body was without fluids to bring him to climax. For Byakuya however, while making the man reach his peak over and over agin, he had yet to climax once. For he barley allowed the younger man to touch him, fearing his immediate release at Ichigo's velvet touch. Still, that didn't stop the younger man from trying, though he was the bottom in this situation, that didn't mean he was completely at Byakuay's will.

He wanted to leave his own impression on the man. It was unthinkable to believe Ichigo could just forget something like this, something so vividly real, enticing, and honest. Ichigo felt a scene of abandonment that lit a fire within him, setting his whole begin aflame. Undoubtably, this would etch an unseen mark on his soul, causing him inwards shivers when ever he even heard the name Byakuya Kuchiki. Now he could never forget him. Though he wasn't sure if the same could be said for the noble, Ichigo knew he wanted to leave him with unforgettable memories, he wanted to know he penetrated the skin of the one and only Kuchiki clan leader, he wanted to know those lips were moaning because of his touch. He wanted those places to tingle with excitement when ever Byakuya saw him, but mostly, he wanted to make sure Byakuya couldn't just easily forget about him, because Ichigo surely would remember.

After Ichigo had climaxed for the last time, Byakuya removed him self, giving the man a break. Ichigo took the opportunity to pin the man down, dominating him and moving his warm wet mouth down to Byakuya's huge length. Despite being obviously inexperienced, Byaukua allowed him to try as he watched with a smirk. Ichigo was determined to give Byakuya the same pleasure, even if it was just a tiny fraction of it. Thinking of what he liked and what Byakuya had just did to him, Ichigo tried with all of his might, and to his surprise, it worked. The noble started letting out involuntary whimpers as his cock twitched in Ichigo salivating mouth.

With widened eyes, Byakuya felt a tingling sensation that signified how close he was. Instead of allowing Ichigo to send him into euphoric spasms, he flipped the man over and entered him once more. Using his hand to palm Ichigo's length, he elicited more moans of pleasure and pain.

When he thought he couldn't take it anymore, he sunk his nails into Byakuya's back and looked adoringly into the man's eyes, "Byakuya, say my name…just once," he pleaded as the man continued to rhythmically thrust into him.

With the sound of his name existing the boys lips in such a sultry manner, Byakuya was sent over the edge, moaning Ichigo's name repetitively as he filled the man. "Ichi-go, Ichigo..Ichgio.."

With his release, his body went limp from hours of exsertion, making him collaps onto the younger man. To Ichigo's surprise, Byakuya wrapped the man in his arms, both laying there in complete silence while enjoying the after glow. Neither needed to say anything to express the magic they had just created. Instead, they both fell asleep in each others arms, still hoping for internal night fall

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The sound of light knocking awoke Byakuya from his tranquility. One of his servants was apologizing from the other side of the door, explaining that his breakfast was waiting and they waited as long as possible to wake him.

Byakuya merely grumbled out something indiscernible, still keeping his eyes shut tightly, still to subdued by sleep to fully take in the events of the pervious night.

It wasn't until he sank deeper into a pair of comforting arms and felt the tickle of soft orange locks on his face, that his memories came flooding back. After a brief epoch of peaceful warmness, Byakuya jolted up, remembering this wasn't how he usually woke up.

Despite his immediate shock and a sudden punch of regret, Byakuya found him self not wanting to wake the sleeping boy beside him. Instead, the drained features and disheveled hair became the cynosure of Byakuya's heart and eyes as he watched Ichigo turn on his side, instinctively wrapping his arms around the noble, and caressing Byakuya's broad chest with his silky hair. The simplicity of the moment yielded an affection and yearning that was effervescent inside of the man, almost bubbling over and sending his whole body aquiver. It had been so long since he had felt such an instinctual draw to another human. Turning Ichigo aways seemed to betraying his hearts wants, yet Byakuya was a man of mind over matter. Still, despite his protest to the contrary, the echoing of loneliness that rippled through his heart and flowed through his extremities was all telling.

Turning Ichigo away would be the easy part because Byakuya knew it was in both of their best interest. It was his hearts new infliction that he would find hard to swallow, for it was usually so desolate, inhabitable by anything but a void. In fact, very few people had stuck pin hole sized punctures into the dusty organ, allowing a little light to flow into Byakuya's cold demeanor, but this was so much bigger than a pin hole. Byakuya's heart was gapping, completely turned upside down by the boy lying beside him. From that moment forward, he knew he would have to share his heart, mind, and soul with the thoughts of Ichigo's warm presence. Behind his ridged exterior and distant eyes, there Ichigo would be, in the form of a recurring thought or the pang of loneliness, his presence had marred the noble. He understood him self well enough to grasp the feelings he was having, and though he was still steadfast in his mission to distance the two, Byakuya knew he had never felt such an attachment since Hisana.

Taking in the felicity for one last fleeting moment, Byakuya sat up in his bed and shook Ichigo's shoulder firmly, watching the sleepy eyes peel open slowly while he tried to take in the events of last night, still confused from his slumber and raging hangover.

Before Ichigo's eyes could even reach Byakuya's, his desultory limbs flung a blanket over his face, blocking out the intensity of the sun, which only aided his headache. "God, I feel like I've been hit by a bus," Ichigo groaned.

It wasn't until he heard Byakuya's serious voice say, "Kurosaki, you need to get dressed," that Ichigo fully realized what had occurred.

As the memories of the passion filled night came flooding back, Ichigo frantically threw the blanket off of his head and looked at Byakuya in a complete stupor. "Shit," he cursed meekly, "that wasn't a dream."

Seeing Ichigo was fully awake, Byakuya removed him self from his bed and began to get ready. Unfortunately, with a captains meeting happing shortly, he didn't have enough time to wash away the residue of their love making, a smell of which only made this whole thing harder. "It's time for you to leave, we have a captains meeting within the hour," Byakuya reminded, barely able to keep his eyes on the young man.

Ichigo blinked in surprise as he took in the man's cold demeanor, still he managed to tease, "Isn't it customary f

or you, to like, make me breakfast after these types of things?"

It wasn't as if Ichigo completely forgot what the noble had told him the night before, this was a one time deal. So he didn't know what he expected. All he knew was, Byakuya's usual coldness had returned with a vengeance for reasons unbeknown to him. Perhaps it was naive of him, but he at least thought they could maintain a friendship of sorts, and that maybe one day, Byakuya would change his mind. Ichigo was now painfully aware of his feelings towards the man, perhaps he didn't understand how far those feelings reached, but he knew they didn't just dissipate with the rising of the sun. He wasn't even sure if he wanted a relationship with this man. Sure, he had seen a more gentle side of him, but there was still so much left to discover. Only now, Byakuya has regressed even further into his detachment.

Byakuya gave a light scoff, still adverting his eyes as he began dressing. "Do you not remember what I told you last night? This was a one time thing, a favor I did for your sake. Please remove those childish notions from your brain."

Ichigo scrunched his eyes brows and got up from his place on the bed, gathering his clothes while indulging in a brief moment of pensive silence. Now it was Ichigo's turn to scoff, "So what? You're trying to tell me you got no pleasure from last night, that it was all just one big pity fuck?" His voice was offend, yet soft, unable to fully express his anger out of fear it would only worsen the pounding in his head.

Byakuya clenched his fist tightly before sighing deeply. The man could barley look at Ichigo, for he knew it would only make this whole decision harder. He knew how harsh and sever he was being, but with out that, he wouldn't be able to drive a wedge between the two. A wedge he would need to forget these indecent feelings, feelings of affection that had penetrated his heart, despite his own reasoning.

Also, he didn't want Ichigo harboring any residual feeling for him either. He wanted this to be clean cut and for the young man to find someone better suited for him. Perhaps if he was harsh enough, his words would banish any feelings Ichigo thought he had for him. He would realize just how heartless Byakuya could be.

"Of course," he grunted out, his voice stifled by frustration. "Of course, I enjoyed it. However, thats as far as my attachment goes. It was purely a physical reaction, I have no need for you to be hanging around me. We're not friends and we're especially not lovers."

Ichigo stood in an perplexed silence, wondering what he had done to justify such coldness. It wasn't as if he was asking Byakuya to be his, so why was he being so cruel? Now jumping into his pants, he found his words,"You know, I don't expect anything from you, but I never thought you'd be so fucking icy." Both Ichigo and Byakuya cringed at the words, though Byakuya's reaction was hidden away, seeing as he was preoccupied with looking at anything but Ichigo.

The noble spoke somberly, yet with the same ridged detachment, "That's what you get for making assumptions."

Before Ichgio could reply, another light knock came to the door. "Once again, I'm very sorry Kuchiki-sama, but your sister, Lady Kuchiki, is waiting for you in the dinning hall. She came to eat breakfast with you before your meeting."

At the women's words, Ichigo and Byakuay jolted as an unnerving amount of silence fell between the two. Byakuay found his words, "Yes, tell her I'll be there momentarily."

Suddenly, Byakuya spun on his heels to see a fully dressed Ichigo, quickly his eyes darted around the room before he proclaimed, "You must leave now…" Looking around once more, he continued, "Out the window."

Ichigo's eyes widened with malice, though he understood Byakuya not wanting Rukia to find him here, the mere idea of him shamefully climbing out the window like some mistress made him feel dirty and oh so wrong. Seething, he responded, "Are you fucking kidding me? Out the window? What am I, a fucking teenager?" At the sight of Byakuya cocking his eye brow, Ichigo demanded, "don't answer that." Shaking his head in disbelief, he placed on his shoes and readied him self to go, muttering out his frustration in the process. "Climbing out the damn window, what the hell... You really are some class act, ya know that… So fucking noble and upstanding, treating me this way after what we did," he grunted out, now opening the window.

Byakuya spoke once more, this time his tone was a little more docile, yet his words just as harsh. "Did I not tell you that you would regret this decision?"

Ichigo looked back at the noble one last time before replying. "Nah- It's not the sex I regret, I regret thinking I saw more in you than coldness. How wrong was I?" With those finally words of bitter resentment, Ichigo flash stepped away.

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Byakuya arrived in his dinning room looking more together than he felt. He could still feel Ichigo on him and smell the lingering scent of Ichigo's natural body odor.

As he entered, he saw Rukia passively pushing food around on her plate. She was so somber and zoned out that she didn't even notice Byakuya's arrival.

The noble felt like guilt was ripping through his insides, for he understood what was causing such a sad look. Despite wanting to comfort his sister, it seemed oh so wrong and hypocritical after last night. It wasn't as if he didn't take his sisters feelings into consideration, his selfish lust just overcame his logical mind and, even knowing how his sister felt for Ichigo, he completely caved. At the time, Byakuya justified it by telling him self it was only once, and she'd never find out. Besides, rather they slept together or not, Ichigo wasn't changing his mind about Rukia. Even so, despite all of his justification, he couldn't help but feel abhorrent guilt at his sisters anguished features.

Finally, Rukia took notice of the man. With on cheek resting in her hand, she let her glazed eyes glance up from her plate for a single moment before adverting her eyes back. "Oh, Nii-san, you're here," she observed meekly, "I was wondering what took you so long."

After a lackluster greeting, the noble took a seat in the chair parallel to her, quickly beginning to eat his breakfast. The two sat in silence while they ate, merely exchanging glances every once in a while. Byakuya already knew what was afflicting Rukia and asking would only make him feel more guilt, yet he truly cared for his sister and knew it was unlike him to not inquire about her well being when she seemed down.

Finishing his meal, he looked at the girl, who had only taken three bites since the mans's arrival. Now feeling more concerned, Byakuya resolved to see if she wanted to talk, yet knowing her, she would rather keep it to her self.

To his surprise, Rukia looked up from her plate sheepishly and asked, "Nii-san, you didn't happen to see ichigo last night, did you?"

A jolt of dread filled the man as he swallowed a dry lump in his throat, however, being the king of composure that he was, he didn't show an inkling of his discomfort. It also helped that she wasn't seemingly mad, or talking in an accusatory tone, it seemed as if she was genuinely curios."No, why do you ask?"

Rukia slumped her shoulders and adverted her eyes back to her plate. "Well, you must of felt him at least. Last night, I could scenes his spiritual pressure running rampant.." The reserved girl blushed slightly, "It wasn't like anything I've ever felt from him before, it was so…lust-filled. Quite a few people are talking about it, saying it was the type of pressure that makes people want to get all hot and heavy…" Her sentence trailed off as she dawned a look of humiliation. She had almost forgot who she was talking to, yet she continued, needing someone to vent to, "Most people didn't seem to recognize it as Ichigo's pressure, but I realized it right away."

Dawning a stone face that was in stark contrast to his inner turmoil, he responded flatly, "I didn't feel a thing. I suppose, where ever he was releasing that amount of pressure from was to far away for me to sense it my self. Though I can't complain about that, I rather not be bothered by his obtrusive spiritual pressure." Byakuya found him self relived that he could easily mask his spiritual pressure, even in such euphoric times.

Rukia had heard her brother's words but was seemingly in her own world as she stared off. "Yeah.." she muttered, "I just wonder what caused it..maybe he was with someone else.."

As her sentence trailed off, Byakuya burrowed his eyes into her distant expression, "Rukia, is there something you need to talk about?"

Byakuya was caught off guard when the girl started spilling her guts, it was as if her sadness has been reaching it's boiling point. "Oh, brother, I'm sorry," she muttered out with her face in her hands, to humiliated to look at the raven haired man.

"The only thing you should be sorry about is your horrible manners. If you're going to address me, please do so without your hands in your face." The man gave a supercilious turn of his nose before his tone dissolved into something much more docile, "Now, you know you can speak to me openly. What do you feel the need to apologize about?"

Lifting her flushed face from her hands, Rukia belted out as quickly as possibly, "Because I told Ichigo I was in love with him and he rejected me! It was horribly embarrassing. I acted like some jealous brat and told him to leave."

Byakuya had known this was coming, which made it that much easier to keep his composed temperament. "Why would you need to apologizing for something like that?"

Bitting her lip sheepishly, Rukia responded, "Because, I know how you feel about him. I mean, I know you don't hate him like he thinks you do, but I also know that he's probably the last person you'd want me infatuated with.

Pursing his lips in contemplation, Byakuya gave his sister a still, yet compassionate look. "I'll admit, he certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but I can't imagine there are many people who would live up to my standards for you." He adverted his eyes momentarily, pushing back an erotic memory from the previous night, "but I suppose, the heart wants what the heart wants, you can't help who captivates it." Byakuya's words were all telling, not to Rukia, but to him self. It was as if he was giving him self advise, along with his sister.

Now finding his train of thought, he continued, "It hurts when affection isn't retuned, but if it's not, that just means Kurosaki isn't the suitor for you. With time, you'll find a much better match, trust me." Byakuay wiped his face gracefully before standing.

Though the advise seemed somewhat obvious and shallow, Rukia knew her brother was right, time heals all wounds. With that, she stood up beside her brother and prepared to leave for their meeting, giving him a hopeful smile as they walked.