A/N: Thank you so much for those who took the time to reviewed my story! I'm really grateful. The reviews are the ones which keeps me going. Thank you! :D

Disclaimer: If I own Bleach, I would make myself as Byakuya's wife.

"Arghhh!!" Rukia screamed as she flung herself onto her bed and pounded her fists. Rukia is mad at herself. Mad at herself for thinking that Byakuya actually likes her when he was kissing her. Mad at herself for responding to his touch. And mostly, she was mad at herself because she's falling in love with him.

How is that possible? How could I fall in love with nii-sama? I must be crazy. He's someone who I respect and hope to become. That's all. How can a sister fall in love with the brother? Rukia thought as she glanced dejectedly around her room. This is no good. I have to get a hold of myself and just pretend nothing has ever happened. She slipped off her bed, walked out of her room and shunpo-ed her way to the 13th division.

"Oi, Rukia! Over here!" A familiar voice called out as Rukia was walking towards her division.

Rukia turned her head to that direction and spotted her orange and red haired friend sitting under a tree.

"Ichigo! Why are you here?" Rukia asked in surprise as she walked towards them.

Ichigo glared at Renji as he replied. "This red pineapple head here asked me to come over. He said there's something he wants to tell me about."

"Hey! Watch your mouth, carrot top! After you've heard what I'm about to tell you, I'm sure you'll start to call me Renji-sama instead!" Renji snapped irritably.

Ichigo gave a bark of laughter. "Call you that?! Dream on, pineapple head! I wouldn't even call you that even if you managed to defeat Aizen!"

Rukia sensing that another squabble is going to break out soon, quickly asked. "So, Renji, what's the thing you're going to tell Ichigo?"

Renji glared at Ichigo, and then turned his attention to Rukia. "Well, taichou has given me a special mission. I have to go down to Karakura town and inspect what has been killing off the animals there. It doesn't seem that the culprits are hollows or anything like that."

"Killing off animals? But hollows mostly feed on human souls, right?" Rukia asked as she frowned.

Ichigo sighed. "That's the problem. We couldn't figure out what it is. There are so many dead animals in the street right now, people are freakin' out."

The three friends lapsed into silence, immersed in their own thoughts.

"Well, it doesn't matter! The mystery will be solved soon as I will be investigating them." Renji boasted then continued. "I couldn't believe it when taichou handed this mission over to me. He must have great faith in me!"

Ichigo gave a snort. "Yea right. I'm sure Byakuya only wanted to get you out of his sight!"

Rukia sighed as her two friends continued their squabbling.

Kuchiki Byakuya had always considered himself to be calm and clearheaded but he was beginning to doubt that after what happened with Rukia earlier this morning had obviously not been calm or clearheaded. Byakuya sighed as he walked out of the sixth division, looking out for Renji. He couldn't control himself when he saw the flustered look on Rukia's face when he had walked over to her and questioned her. She looks so cute with her eyes wide and her mouth slightly apart. Damn, I should not have kissed her no matter how much I want to. Rukia must have been so horrified. Wait. Horrified? Rukia does not seem horrified when I had kissed her. She had even responded. Does this mean that Rukia feels the same way like I do?

The hot afternoon sun shone brightly as Byakuya quickened his pace. He was feeling slightly irritated that Renji had left his office and had not been back for a few hours and the scorching sun did not make things better. Thinking about how he would have to face Rukia in the evening made Byakuya's mood worse. He didn't mean to kiss Rukia. He just couldn't control himself when his face was barely two inches away from hers. To make it worse, she had looked so beautiful and nervous at the same time. The kiss with Rukia this morning had left Byakuya rattled. He had never felt so good in his life. He had never expected that the kiss would make him yearn for something more. Byakuya had wanted it so much that his lips went to her neck and even down to her bare shoulders before he could stop himself.

Byakuya could feel an ache in his groin as he thought of what happened this morning. His body had been so close to Rukia's petite frame. How his hot ragged breaths were against Rukia's neck and how she had moaned as if she had wanted more.

Byakuya stopped walking, closed his eyes and took in several deep breaths of air hoping that the fresh air would help him clear his fuzzy mind. After several minutes, Byakuya continued on his way and he could sense Renji's reiatsu nearby. He shunpo-ed to that direction immediately expecting to see Renji alone dozing off under a tree.

Byakuya stopped as he looked to his left. Surprisingly, Renji was not dozing off nor he was alone. Byakuya saw Renji in a heated conversation with Kurosaki Ichigo and standing beside them with an exasperated expression, was Rukia.

Sensing that somebody else was near, Rukia quickly turned her head. Byakuya could see her face turn red, then her expression changed from being shy to anger.

"Nii-sama." She greeted him quietly, her tone forceful.

As soon as Renji and Ichigo heard Rukia, they stopped talking and turned around as Byakuya walked towards them.

"Taichou! Were you looking for me?" Renji asked and then continued. "I came out to look for Ichigo to ask him some stuff about the mission."

"Ask me? It sounds more like boasting to me!" Ichigo retorted.

Renji glared at Ichigo as a voice rang out loud and clear. "Yoohoo! Are you all having a small party without me?"

Everyone including Byakuya turned their heads as they see the busty vice captain of tenth division making her way down the steps.

"Ooh! Even Kuchiki taichou's here! Now now, that wasn't very nice to not invite me!" Matsumoto Rangiku said well naturedly as she wagged her finger at them.

"Um.. This isn't a party, Rangiku-san." Ichigo replied.

Matsumoto's face fell. "It isn't? Well, that's a bummer. I was still going to treat you all to sake since Kuchiki taichou is here too." She said mischievously and winked at Byakuya who gave no response.

Renji smiled. "We'll be sure to call you next time if we're having a party."

"Well, alright. I'd better get going in case taichou finds me and drags me back to the office to do more paperwork." Matsumoto sighed.

As Matsumoto turned to leave, she caught sight of Rukia and something very strange on her neck.

"What is that, Kuchiki-san?" Matsumoto asked as she walked towards Rukia, peering at her neck.

Rukia frowned. "What's what?"

"Is this a hickey, Kuchiki-san?" Matsumoto asked as she pointed to the red spot on Rukia's neck.

"What?!" Rukia gasped as her hand flew to the side of her neck.

Matsumoto let out a laugh. "Well, you've been terribly naughty, haven't you, Kuchiki-san?"

Byakuya stiffened as he saw everyone staring at Rukia while she looked around helplessly.

"So who's that guy, Rukia?" Ichigo asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Yea, tell us who that guy is! Is he someone we know?" Matsumoto chirped in happily.

"I.. Well.. I.. can't say.." Rukia stammered as she stared at Byakuya.

Renji turned his head towards Byakuya and gasped. "Oh my god. Taichou did that to you, right?"

Before Byakuya or Rukia could react, Ichigo smacked Renji on his head. "Don't be stupid! It isn't Byakuya! It must be someone else!"

Renji groaned as he rubbed the sore spot on his head. "Then why was Rukia looking at taichou?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes and sighed. "She can't say because Byakuya is here, stupid."

Renji blinked. "Oh. Right."

Matsumoto smiled and turned to Byakuya. "Don't worry, Kuchiki-taichou. I'm sure Kuchiki-san knows what is best for her. Am I right, Kuchiki-san?" Matsumoto turned to Rukia and gave her a kind smile.

"Um.. yea." Rukia replied nervously.

There was a pregnant pause as everyone was deep in thought.

"Matsumoto!!" A loud voice shouted and interrupted everyone's train of thought.

Matsumoto made a face. "Drats, taichou is coming this way! If he asks, tell him I went the other way." And with that, Matsumoto dashed off towards the 11th division.

True enough, as soon as Matsumoto disappeared round the corner, Hitsugaya Toshiro appeared, breathless and angry.

"Have any of you seen Matsumoto?" he asked as he approached them.

"I think she went that way." Rukia said as she pointed to the other direction, the way that leads to the 12th division.

"Actually, she went the other way towards the 11th division." Byakuya said suddenly.

Hitsugaya Toshiro raised his brows. "So did she go to the left or the right?"

"Left." "Right." Byakuya and Rukia replied at the same time.

Toshiro sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. I'll just find that lazy Matsumoto myself."

As soon as Toshiro shunpo-ed away, Byakuya turned around and begin walking off. "Let's go, Abarai."

Renji nodded and followed Byakuya as they walked back to the 6th division.

A/N: Remember to review! LOVE! (: