It rained again today; the refreshing scent of the heavenly made moisture the most prominent scent lingering in the air.
Byakuya had always been an avid lover of the rain; it's indeterminable magic a force not even he wished to understand.
He closed his eyes and raised his palm as a lone drop pierced his skin with its frigidness and he wondered if she were alright…
She had been gone almost four hours now and she had promised to meet him for their afternoon walk.
But the rains had always been known to hinder pleasant meetings and rendezvous…alas even the rain could separate lovers…
Even the rain would cast an invisible barrier of white between him and her.
And still he wished that barrier would dissipate from between the white sheets of moisture. Nothing should have been allowed to separate them…nothing.
He opened the umbrella as the patters of the rain drops increased their numbers and he wistfully sighed as the sweet scent of the hydrangeas began to permeate; the scent that she loved the most when the heavens washed the earth with their humble tears.
But she was not here…so perhaps…perhaps he would enjoy the scent for her, tell her of its sweetness tonight, tell her of its alluring fragrance when they were separated by absolutely nothing at all but thin fabrics of cloth.
He would tell her if she were not here to enjoy it with him. He would describe its grandeur to her, he would ensure she enjoyed its scent even if it were through a retelling. He would do such a thing if it were for her.
And as he raised the umbrella to shield himself from the intensifying tears of the heavens he heard a soft, almost shy laugh and instantly stiffened.
He could distinguish those mellow undertones anywhere.
"The rains have been known to separate many before… but alas, they have also reunited many...my Lord."
Kuchiki Byakuya found a small smile lengthening his lips from those sweet words and he cast an over the shoulder glance at the slight figure behind him.
She was colourfully wrapped in a red silken spring kimono he had once gifted her with, a wagasa elegantly poised above her for shelter.
Byakuya quietly admired her delicacy; she was the epitome of a Japanese wife.
She coyly smiled and modestly averted her gaze when their eyes met. Her humility always moved him.
"Should I desist then, in blaming the rain for your lack of tardiness… is that what you mean when you utter such words fair one?"
The seemingly fragile woman gave a bell like chuckle and drew her sleeved hand closer up to face to conceal her muted laughter.
"Perhaps…" she softly whispered as she gracefully twirled the wagasa.
Byakuya stared into her violet eyes, their depths betraying the laughter that lingered within.
She was obviously teasing him.
But he didn't mind. The rain had brought her home…
He smiled.
"Hm" He focused his attention forward once more and closed his eyes as she finally drew beneath his wagasa. She immediately closed her own and smiled up at her husband as she greeted him.
"Good afternoon Byakuya-sama."
"Good afternoon Hisana."
"Forgive me for my delay, but the rains prevented an earlier withdrawal from the Rukon Districts."
"Oh?"
"Yes… but Hisana's desires would not be matted by the rain." She linked her fingers with her husband's then and gently rested her head against his shoulder.
"And what is your desire?"
"To always be reunited with those whom I love."
There was strength in those simple words, strength that penetrated Byakuya's heart.
She softly continued, "The rains cannot separate souls indefinitely; rainbows must be painted."
Byakuya closed his eyes.
"But the rains separate lovers….does it not?"
"Do you truly believe that?"
Byakuya closed his eyes and gently tightened his grip on his wife's slender fingers. "Not presently…" he softly murmured as an afterthought.
Hisana smiled at his response and contentedly sighed against his shoulder before quietly whispering. "I'm happy you think so," (She blushed as she spoke) "for it gives me the deepest pleasure to hear such words from your lips."
