ok folks, like i promised, chapter 4. i've been recently receving so many nice reviews from you, so i wanted to repay you somehow. this one is a bit shorter (for which i am really sorry) but the next chapter will be all about the upcoming party, so i'll make it up to you. i hope you'll enjoy this one too. have fun! ;)
"We should do this more often."
"Listening to the music?"
"That too."
What did he mean by that? Like holding hands… more? Rukia couldn't answer her questions. She didn't know what to think about whole situation as she was replaying it all over in her head. Her mind was corrupted with so many unspoken questions and it begun to haunt her thru days. Three days passed from the evening when she was picking song with her brother and all she was thinking of ever since was what the hell did he mean by that. She tried to calm down and focus. Maybe he didn't mean it at all, maybe she overheard. But then again, no – she was analyzing those words very thorough ever since and she was pretty sure it was exactly what he said. He want to hold hands. With me. Rukia felt frustrated over not having any clear answers for the matter.
Ok, Rukia, focus. What do YOU think about it? That was another question she had to rethink. Precisely, what did she think about it? Well, she was at shock first, yet the warmth and softness of his hands were corrupting her thoughts. Did she enjoy that feeling? Of course she did, there was no question about that! Did she want to do it again? She would be overjoyed. So what was the problem after all? She was sure that if he'd wish to hold her hand again, she wouldn't mind. She would happily give it to him. Then what's the problem again? Well, the main problem in her head was that she didn't know whether he would really want to and what if not?
His thoughts were drifting over their evening in the study room. The feeling of her hand was rather suddenly, but he enjoyed it. He knew she was shocked when he said he'd want to do it again and it amused him. She was still so afraid of him that she couldn't just see, how he cared. And that despite his cold appearance, he was still a person, that had feelings like any other, he just didn't show them to everyone. The fact was, he always wanted to be close to her and for her. He just didn't know how to show it. But when she grabbed his hand as if it was something natural, he didn't mind repeating it. It was such a nice feeling, he wouldn't ever dare to reject it.
"Oh, Taichou!" Byakuya's thoughts came back to reality.
"Taichou, there's another thing for the party, I just received a message from the 5th Squad." Renji said, excited.
"What again?"
"So, Hirako-Taichou wants dress all of us in clothes from the living world. I think that's just awesome!"
"Ridiculous idea. Is it necessary?"
"I believe so Taichou. He said Ichigo gave him the idea…"
"Is that so? I see."
"So… could I just walk out a bit earlier today? I have to buy something for myself."
"Have you done all your paperwork?"
"Emm… no, but I will. I promise, Taichou. This one time." Renji almost begged him to let him go as he already promised Matsumoto that they would go together to pick clothes for the party.
Byakuya hesitated for a second, but his thoughts begun to drift away from the topic and instead landed on what Rukia would choose to dress. So he just nodded at Renji, who immediately ran out (afraid that Byakuya would change his mind) and let himself drift with that thought.
Rukia was wandering from shop to shop, looking for something outstanding for the night. Seireitei was from the early morning – when the first information about new arrangements appeared – a capital of fashion. She didn't even bother herself questioning how did they managed to find so many things in just few hours. She was thinking about something entirely else. What would she want to wear for that evening? Dresses were nice and pretty, but she just couldn't decide. What she needed was a second opinion. Where was Matsumoto when she was needed the most? Rukia was about to leave the shopping for another time, but then she bumped into Nanao, the 8th Division Vice-Captain.
"Oh, Rukia-chan! Gone for shopping too?" Nanao asked and adjusted her glasses.
"Uhm, yes. There are many dresses, but I don't know which one I should choose." Rukia replied, still looking at the clothes.
"Well, what you need is-"
"Oh girls! I was hoping to find you here!" familiar voice was yelling from behind.
When Rukia and Nanao turned their back, they saw Matsumoto, waving towards them.
"Oh, Rangiku. I knew I would find you here in the first place." Nanao said.
"Well, then you've found me! Watcha doin girls? Choosing your dresses for the big night?"
"Well, at least we're trying to." Rukia replied, still a little bit concerned about what to wear.
"How about a little girls' shopping? The three of us will definitely come up with something!" Matsumoto blinked with a flirt in her eyes.
Nanao and Rukia nodded, and soon after the shopping started for good. They were trying hundreds of dresses, having much fun and laughter. Matsumoto was first to pick her dress. She chose a red one, quite short and with huge neckline to expose her big breasts. Nanao was about to buy a dark blue long dress, but then Matsumoto suggested another one and when Nanao saw it she blushed heavily.
"No way I'm going to wear this!" she shouted at Rangiku.
"Girl, your Taichou will be thanking me for the rest of his life for this dress!"
"I don't care about this pervert!" Nanao said, blushing. Rukia and Matsumoto laughed at this statement, because it was well known that Nanao had a big crush for her Captain for many years and although she would never admit that, she liked when he was flirting with her.
"This party is once in a lifetime honey, if not now then when?" Matsumoto asked. "You'll wear it and I don't want to hear any protests!"
"Fine! Whatever!"
Rukia was laughing at her friends, however she was still concerned about not having anything for herself. They were running around for 3 hours and nothing seemed to catch her eye.
"Rukia-chan, I have something especially for you!" Matsumoto giggled. She was carrying a beautiful silver-white long dress. "Put it on and we'll see."
Rukia was amazed. It was indeed the most gorgeous dress she'd ever seen. It was long, with a short train, bare back and a suggestive neckline. She immediately went to put it on and showed herself to girls.
"Oh, woooooow." Nanao said.
"You're buying this one honey. You look totally amazing." He's gonna love it!"
"Who?!" Rukia and Nanao shouted in the same time, though the first one a little bit shocked while the last one very curious.
"Kuchiki-Taichou of course, who else? He's gonna totally fall for you if he hasn't yet."
"You're dating Kuchiki-Taichou? When did it happen? Why I'm the last one to know?!" Nanao shouted shocked.
"I'm telling for the last time. I am not dating Nii-sama. He is my brother for the love of God. I cannot just… date him." Rukia stated but hesitated at the last words, and immediately blushed.
"And why the hell not? I told you once, you're not blood related and he is just so gorgeous that it would be such a waste!"
"Yeah, I don't do it often, but I must agree at this one with Rangiku." Nanao said. "If you like him, date him."
"It's not… it's… he is my brother." Rukia was a little bit lost in her words. And thoughts. "Besides, even if I would… probably, CONSIDER… liking him this way… or dating… well, even if I would, I am a sister to him and it's not going to change."
"Did he tell you that?" Matsumoto asked.
"No! and he doesn't have to. I know it!" Rukia replied sharply. "He doesn't have that kind of feelings for me." She added, unaware of her sad smile.
"Rukia-chan! You have a crush on him?" Matsumoto asked, although she was sure of the true answer before Rukia spoke.
"No! Of course not. He's my Nii-sama."
"Mhm, yeah. We'll talk about it later. And now, we all have dresses for the evening ladies, so let's celebrate it with some sake!"
"Matsumoto! Have you done your paperwork?" a voice came out of nowhere, but Rangiku stiffed as she was immediately sure of its owner.
"Oh Taichou. I didn't know you would be here. Doing shopping?" she asked, making an innocent face.
"But I knew YOU would be here. No sake Matsumoto, you have a work to do!" Hitsugaya finally appeared in front of girls with an icy expression on his face.
"Taichou, but…"
"NOW!"
"Sorry girls, other time then?" Matsumoto asked rhetorically and waved them as a goodbye, walking away with her Captain.
"Well, I have to go too, Nanao-san. It's getting late and Nii-sama doesn't like when I skip dinners with him. See you later!" Rukia said and also walked away.
"I bet he doesn't." Nanao said to herself.
Rukia was already late for dinner as she walked inside the manor. She rushed quickly to change her clothes and then to the dining room. Byakuya was already there, waiting politely for her to come. She knew he was pissed as she should inform him that she would be late for dinner.
"I'm sorry Nii-sama, I didn't know it was that late." Rukia said and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
"It's alright." He nodded at her, to begin the dinner.
They ate quietly, as usual. But Rukia was excited about her dress and was wondering if really Byakuya would like her in it. Wait, what? Why am I thinking about that? But indeed she was. The idea of him liking the view of her wearing that dress was really corrupting her mind. She wondered if he would actually consider her pretty. Maybe even beautiful. And that thought made her blush. Because maybe she wasn't already aware of it, but frankly she would want to appeal to him.
"Uhm, Nii-sama. Are you going for your walk in the garden tonight?" she asked, trying hardly to get rid of her thoughts.
"Yes. Why?"
"Oh, may I join you? If you of course, don't mind." She asked shyly.
He simply nodded as a sign of approval. The truth was he was looking forward to it. She occupied his thoughts almost all day. He didn't know if he hadn't scared her by his last confession. It was a moment, when words begun to flow before he could rethink them. He meant what he said, but wasn't sure if it was appropriate for him to say things like that. But then, it happened. And now she wanted to spend some time with him, in the garden. Maybe she didn't understand what he said. Or maybe she just ignored the words and wanted things to stay just as they were.
But the fact was, she hadn't ignored them at all. And she was looking forward to it also. She was even wondering how extraordinary it would be, to hold his hand again. And if he was willing to do it again. And she was impatiently waiting for the night to come. Night walks had some kind of magic. Rukia felt like some sort of an unknown force was making them more special, intimate and bringing her closer to Byakuya. It was like at those night walks in the garden, the distance, the words and whole world just didn't seem to matter anymore as they were all alone, just the two of them.
Finally, she heard some rush in the corridor and she knew it was him, going for a walk. A dark silhouette appeared in front of her paper doors, stopped for a moment, as if waiting, then slowly made its way further to the garden. And Rukia knew, it was a subtle sign, that he wanted her to join him. So not hesitating any longer, she made her way to the garden as well. And there he was, standing in front of the koi pond. At that moment, for the first time maybe, she thought that she just love to observe him. She sighed quietly, and got herself nearer, two steps behind him.
He knew she was there, standing near, but also so far away. He smiled deep down when he felt her reiatsu in the garden. Byakuya knew, she wasn't masking it as if wanting him to know she's there. She stood silent, but no words were necessary, they were enjoying each other's company. It was like time was purposely skipping this place, making the moment eternal, making it special, even if it was really just a moment.
"Does Nii-sama enjoy garden at night?" she broke the silence with the most stupid question, as it was obvious he did, he did it almost every day for years. Stupid, he now thinks you're retarded Rukia. And so you are.
"Yes." He replied, not sure if add something or not. "There is something magical in it."
"I think so too. But I think I enjoy it only if-" she stopped at the second she realized what she wanted to say.
"Only if?"
"Oh, nothing Nii-sama." She blushed heavily.
"Continue."
She sighed hardly and for a moment her heart stopped beating and then started rapidly.
"Only if you are here, as well."
If she would standing right beside him, she would notice the smile, that appeared on his lips the moment she ended the sentence. Only if I am here? Is she really enjoying my company like I do hers? He didn't know the answer, but for that moment answers weren't necessary.
"Let's sit." He just replied, as any other words would only harm the moment.
She nodded and sat beside him, keeping small distance. She begun to look at his hand almost immediately. And all the words from the day before came back. Holding his hand. It would be so simple. You just need to take it in yours. Just that and then all this warmth and softness would be there again. How great it would be… No, but she couldn't. It would be improper, not to mention disrespectful of her. She couldn't just invade his space with her hand. Even if it was all she wanted to do. Rukia bite her lip, hardly keeping herself from the idea.
"Rukia." He broke the silence. Finally, he turned his head, and looked her right into the eyes.
His eyes. Those sweet, grey and kind eyes. She could drown in them.
"If you wish to hold my hand again, I think you should not hesitate." He said as if he was reading her mind.
She blushed so heavily, burning from the inside. Oh, how she wanted to do it. Could she? Would he? She slowly pushed her hand towards his in a shyly sign that she indeed, wanted it very much. His hand was also getting nearer. The moment felt like eternity before they reached their way to each other. Finally, the feeling came back to both of them. Sweet and tender, but also very gentle and soft. Byakuya turned his head again, looking ahead. Rukia felt a prick in her heart. What was it? It was only a simple gesture, just holding hands, yet the feeling was so strange and unfamiliar. And also very pleasant.
Did anything happen that night after that? They both couldn't tell. How long did it last? 5 seconds? 5 minutes? An hour? There was no answer. But that night something happened. Something grew inside both of them, unaware of what might happen next. But whatever it was about to happen, it surely would be entirely different, as the night changed something and flicked some kind of a switch, they both didn't know that they had.
ok, so that would be it for tonight. next chapter, i promise, will be much longer due to the events that will occur at the party, so watch out. i would really like to thank Noctis Vee Caelum for her reviews and the courage she gave me to write this fic. i'll update soon as i can, i promise you guys.
sai
