Chapter four-

Byakuya stayed behind with Sou-Taicho.

"What of the status of the World of the Living?"

"Besides the increase in hollow activity because of Kurosaki's reiatsu, there are no abnormalities. Upon a search of the town all looks normal and well." Byakuya reported.

"Very well, good work Kuchiki-Taicho."

Byakuya gave a small dip of his head and turned to the door, about to take his leave.

"Byakuya, watch Ichigo closely." Sou-Taicho's voice resounded in Byakuya's ears once again, with what sounded like concern.

"Hai." And with that he was off to find where his charge had gone.

I have a very bad feeling this is going to turn into a disaster.Byakuya found Ichigo with Rukia and Renji at their house, since Rukia decieded to move in with her boyfriend/ soon to be fiancé.

"Well it's about damn time you guys got together! I was going crazy that you two were so damn oblivious!" Ichigo's cheerful voice rang out through the door.

"This coming from you!" Renji's loud voice followed.

Byakuya sighed knowing tonight wasn't going to end well. He knocked on the door and waited until his sister opened it.

"Nii-sama!"

"Hello Rukia, I have come to retrieve Kurosaki." his voice the same monotonous tune it always took.

"Oh come on Byakuya, leave him here with us for a while! We'll take care to make sure he doesn't get into trouble." Renji called from the living room. He now had the ludicrous idea that he could now call Byakuya by his first name. Just ridiculous.

"Yeah, we were just about to celebrate!" Ichigo chimed in.

"Abarai-Taicho,"

"Byakuya you know to call me Renji, and it'll only be a little while. I'm sure you have to prepare a guest room, and finish any paper work because knowing Ichi you're gonna have your hands full." Renji laughed.

"Very well I will return in a few hours." He said after some thought, and with that he was off again heading to his manor to send word that they will be having a guest.

I guess I'll take Renji's advise and finish off my paper work.

*Hours later*

He arrived at Renji's house only to smell the alcohol from the other side of the door. Damn, now I have to deal with a drunken Ichigo.

Byakuya didn't even bother to knock, and just walked into the house looking around for Ichigo. He found him half drunk upside down on the washing machine that the Seireitei secretly kept for captains and lieutenants.

How the hell did he manage to get like that?

"Ichigo, come along, we must be going now." at that Byakuya got a mumble and the slightest movement of the boy's head.

Why did I even consider bringing him to Seireitei, let alone actually do it?

Because you wanted to be near him.

Senbonzakura, The name came out as a warning for the zanpaktou.

Do not use that tone when you know I am correct.

Being correct doesn't give right to speak freely.

Master, if you do not wish to speak freely to yourself, then at least act freely

And just what do you mean by saying that Senbonzakura?

It has been far too long since you have done something on impulse Master. This child lives on impulse and look to where it has brought him.

If your goal was to sound as if you have lost your mind and are speaking nonsense, then you have succeeded.

I am saying to act on what you want to do Master, no one else's opinion matters but your own. I miss the person we once were, and I do believe this boy will be some fun.

Byakuya sighed, closing his eyes, considering what his faithful sword has told him. He peered at the teen on the washer again and decided that in the presence of himself and the incoherent he will act how he wishes and not the way he was told to wish.

He suddenly had an idea of how he was able to remove the teen from the washer, that he was now hugging. Byakuya gave the washer a swift and powerful kick to the side, and it tittered dangerously, the teen atop it shifting slightly to stay on it. Byakuya let a smirk grace his lips as he kicked the washer again, watching the teen's eyes to snap open, wide with shock, give a very girly shriek and landed on the floor only to be knocked unconscious.

Unable to control himself, Byakuya let a peal chuckle escape him at the now unconscious teen's reaction. He had not done something like that in a very, very long time and although at the expense of Ichigo, was relived he had done it. After a few seconds he was finally able to gain control of himself and easily lifted the teen into his arms.

Are you going to carry him all the way to the house in plain view of others?

Senbonzakra, please make up your mind. Does it or does it not matter what others think?

It matters not what I think master. The reply sounded as if he were stifling a laugh.

Ugh! Senbonzakura you are infuriating at times.

I only reflect my master. And with that his sword's voice was gone.

Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to wait for a while until the streets clear out. So Byakuya waited there with the teen's head in his lap and his hand subconsciously running through the fiery orange locks, thinking he was alone.

If he was not able to let the teen know he had feelings for him, and show the affection he so wanted to give him while the boy was awake. He would at least do it while he was unconscious and alone.

"It is time you moved on from my sister." a gentle voice rung out. Byakuya turned sharply to look at Rukia who was leaning on the door frame watching them, shocked and surprised.

"And when, exactly, was it allowed to address me as you wish, Rukia?" he asked, his voice returning to its usual iciness.

"I have lived with you far too long, and loved you far too much, brother that I think it was past time I did, and I will not be restricted to formalities when speaking to my own brother from my heart."

His steely cold eyes bore into her's, waiting for her to crack under his gaze and apologize, but it never came. His gaze was returned in full with determination swimming in Rukia's eyes, it was as if she was waiting for him to apologize to her.

"A Kuchiki you may not have been born, but your will is of a Kuchiki." Byakuya said on a sigh. Rukia walked closer to him, with a very satisfied smile on her face, and sat on the seat across from where he sat.

"Byakuya," she waited for any protest and when none came she continued.

"You hold affection for Ichigo, yes?"

"I do not believe that really pertains to you, now does it Rukia?" he snapped at her.

"He is family to me now. Just like you are, and Renji is and Orihime and all the other people I care for in my life. So if it is something that is important to you, then yes it does pertain to me." Byakuya sighed again, he was just too tired for all of this, too tired to hold up his stoic act. He was too tired to fight against his little sister that, apparently, had a much stronger drive to fight at the moment.

"Yes," it was barely above a whisper.

"Brother, you do not have to sacrifice yourself anymore. You are so tired, the proof is this conversation itself. You are holding yourself back because of people who are no longer with us or people who have no hearts and are interested in only themselves. Just let yourself be who you want, let yourself be the man my sister fell in love with once again."

Rukia had moved and was sitting next to Byakuya now, hold his hand in both of her. She was leaning her head on his shoulder and he was actually relaxed. If it had been any other time he would not have allowed such affection, but the day had not been like any other so why should this be different from the rest of the day turned upside down?

"Rukia, it is not as easy as you may think." he spoke in a soft voice.

"Then what exactly is stopping you? If you take away all the elders in the clan, and the Gotei 13. What is stopping you from being happy?"

"Myself." came the response after a long silence.

"What if I am not capable of loving again? What if I am not enough anymore? What would someone like Ichigo want with someone like me?"

Rukia went ridgid with surprise for a second before relaxing against Byakuya again.

"Do you feel something for Ichigo?" she waited for an answer.

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Do you have pride and honor? Are you honest? Do you stick to what you believe in and carry out your decisions?" Again she waited for an answer.

"Yes."

"Then why would someone like Ichigo, who is the same, not want something to do with someone like you?"

And to that question Byakuya did not have an answer.

"Brother you answer your own questions and problems, yet you still cannot see the solution. Follow your heart and move on from my sister, you deserve another chance at happiness. And I know Hisana would want you to move on as well." And with that said Rukia stood up, placed a soft kiss on Byakuya's cheek and walked from the room.

"I must say, I enjoyed that talk." Byakuya said outloud to himself a small smile gracing his lips. He looked down at the sleeping boy in his lap and gave a small sigh, standing up, ready to go home with his charge.


Awwww! Rukia and Bya had a heart to heart! I always wished they werent so stiff and formal with each other. Sorry it was kind of slow and short but it's needed =/, promise the action will come and it will be in loads.

Again if i get 12 reviews for this chapter, Ill update early c:

Till the next chapter, and please tell me what you thought.