Sunlight crept into the room and Byakuya stirred. He opened his eyes slowly and looked down to where Elda usually slept to find her missing. Byakuya sat up and looked around the room not spotting her and then his eyes rested on a folded up piece of paper; he grabbed it.
Byakuya,
I have been your companion for years now and now it is time for me to leave. I will save Rukia from her death and hopefully you will realize your mistake before she hates you forever. Byakuya you were truly my best friends in all these years and it hurts me to say this but the next time we see each other it will not be in good terms.
-Elda
He stared at the note for a few moments before cursing; the girl was going to get herself killed. Her elders were going to realize that she was not protecting him and her fate would be sealed. He froze; she said she would not be in good terms with him so why not report a traitor to the squads? Elda is powerful and very old. She knew most of the captains fighting styles and should be considered dangerous.
Elda's fate was chosen, she would die. Either by his own hands or the sunlight from execution.
He kept his eyes out for her but never saw her. One day was left till Rukia's execution and still no sight of her. Though he would never admit it he missed her. He missed her sleeping next to her, growling in his ear when he did something wrong but mostly he missed her as a whole.
As he slept that night knowing tomorrow he would probably see her. His heart pounded painfully in his chest. He realized something from the whole experience; he loved her.
The next day
He watched as his sister was raised in the air and was about to meet her fate when that boy Ichigo interrupted. Chaos broke out and Byakuya was fighting Ichigo. "So, you still have yet to understand the reason I left?"
Both of the men jumped at the sudden voice and turned to where it was. Elda stood naked in front of them. They had just finished fighting and Ichigo looked like he was going to pass out. Her skin was burning in the sunlight and she had only a few minutes before she would die.
"Elda," Byakuya breathed.
"In all the years I've known you Byakuya you still hold rules above your feelings. The only time you held emotion was when Hisana was alive. What would she think of you now?" her tone was hurt but she wouldn't ever admit to it.
"Don't you bring Hisana into this!" Byakuya was angered by the nerve but was shocked when he was slapped.
"This is all about Hisana! If you would have listened to her last breath this wouldn't have happened! I hate you Byakuya Kuchiki."
Byakuya flinched from her words but held his sword up shakily ready to strike.
"So it has come to this? Fine strike upon my flesh, I no longer care for you Byakuya Kuchiki."
He froze and dropped his sword. For the first time in years tears spilled over his eye lids and he grabbed her pulling her into his chest. "Elda, I know what I did was wrong but when you left it hurt so much, why?"
She transformed into a cat to stop the burning and purred into his chest giving him his answer.
Rukia was saved and everyone was being healed when the elders came out of the forest. Dressed in cloaks to shield the remaining sun they walked towards Elda and stood around her as she knelt to them.
"Elda, you have disobeyed your orders and here by are to be punished by death."
She nodded while everyone gasped. Elda stood and placed her arms in front of herself receiving handcuffs. "You will die execution style for our kind tomorrow. Byakuya will you watch her tonight?"
He nodded and grabbed her hand as she sat down. "Elda, why did you not fight this?" he whispered.
"It is my time to go Byakuya. Hisana is waiting for me I can feel her. She knew you would never become different but somehow she knew you and I would fall in love. Please, do not retreat to your old self. Become something greater Byakuya."
They laid in bed together, Elda was in her human form for once and Byakuya took her innocence she had saved for her love.
"Will you wait with Hisana for me?"
"No, we will not wait. You are meant to find another who will live forever with you."
Byakuya sighed and held Elda close. "You know Byakuya, being different hurts."
"How so?"
"I never got a chance to live how I wanted and I never got to see my family," she paused. "But it also feels good knowing I found you."
Morning came and Byakuya and Rukia watched as she was burned and was soon only a pile of ashes. The ryoka watched as well and Ichigo even saw Byakuya cry for his lost friend.
"Good-bye Elda. Hopefully you and Hisana move on together."
