Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters, Tite Kubo does. I am simply writing this for my own amusement.

Chapter 7

Fun in the Dark

"I'm sorry sir, a lightning strike has damaged a nearby resister and until we can get our generator up and running safely there will be limited to no electricity. I am going door to door to hand out candles and anything else that our residents may require."

Rukia stood a few feet behind Byakuya and watched as he took the offered candles from the boy that had stopped at their door.

"Also because of the weather and the high case that the storm will continue tomorrow we are offering, at little to no charge, some special services." The boy handed Byakuya a slip of paper before continuing. "Just ring down to the lobby if you wish to partake of our services and we will do our best to see that you receive the best. Thank you."

Rukia watched as Byakuya gave a slight nod to the boy, who nodded in response then looked right at her and gave her a polite smile as well, before disappearing down the hall. Closing the door, Byakuya scanned the paper with dark eyes. Rukia curiously followed him as he walked into the kitchen.

"Be careful," he said after he had lit a candle, placed it in its holder, and handed it to her.

"What should we do now? Its still a bit to early to go to bed yet." Rukia said after Byakuya had lit a second candle for himself.

Byakuya remained silent for a moment. "How about a card game?"

Rukia blinked. "You like playing card games?" she asked surprised.

"Not particularly," he replied, "But we need something to do to pass the time. Also, since you seemed to have gotten your fill at the garden restaurant you won't be wanting dinner anytime soon."

Rukia groaned. The last thing she wanted to do now was talk about food.

"As I though," Byakuya said. He picked up his candle and motioned for Rukia to follow him into the living room.

"Do you know any card games?" he asked after retrieving a deck from a small side table.

"Well not really" she admitted. "But once Renji suggested we play a game called strip poker... Whatever that is… unfortunately he was called away before he could tell me more about it"

Byakuya choked.

Making a mental note to kill the red head when they returned, Byakuya pulled the cards from the box and began to shuffle them.

"Wow, your really good at that," Rukia exclaimed, sitting down beside him on the sofa.

Byakuya remained silent and Rukia watched fascinated as he began to deal them out.

"Now this game is called…"

If someone would have told Rukia that she would have to spend numerous hours playing, of all things, card games with Byakuya, she would most likely have simply refused to go. But oddly enough she found that she was greatly enjoying herself. Byakuya was a patient teacher and he never criticized when she made a mistake. Instead he would simply show her what she had done wrong and then they would simply continue playing. It also turned out that Rukia seemed to have a good knack for cards, even beating Byakuya in a fair few games.

He was just shuffling the cards again after a successful game of war when Rukia finally spoke up.

"Um, nii-sama, can I try?"

"You want to shuffle them? Have you ever done it before?"

"No… that's why I want to try."

"Its harder then it looks," he said but handed the deck over.

She beamed at him and he watched as she quickly tried to copy is actions. Byakuya had to bite back a smile at the look on her face when one card snapped back, causing her to loose her concentration, and promptly cause the rest of them to fall to the couch and floor.

Cursing under her breath, and causing one of Byakuya's eyebrows to suddenly rise, she leaned over and down to gather up the fallen cards.

Taking a moment to admire her lovely slender back, Byakuya then slipped from the sofa and sat down on the floor to help her gather them all up.

He was just reaching for the last card on the floor when her hand suddenly touched his. Apparently she had been reaching for the same card and because he was sitting on a carpeted floor, as soon as their hands touch an electric shock popped to life at the tips of his fingers.

Rukia yelped, more in surprise then any pain and pulled her hand back. Byakuya stared up at her for a moment from where he sat on the floor before getting up and sitting back down on the couch.

"This is how you properly shuffle a deck of cards."

Rukia watched as he took the remainder of the cards from her hand and added them to his own he had collected. "Now watch."

She did as his pale elegant fingers expertly bent then flipped the cards evenly and smoothly together.

"Now you try."

She carefully took them from his hands and tried to imitate how he had held them.

"Move that finger in tighter and…no like this."

Rukia tried her best not to blush when he moved his hands and placed them over hers, positioning them.

"Now let them flip…"

Rukia tried and ultimately they were picking up cards from the floor moments later.

"I'm no good at this," she muttered. "we might as well get back to the card games and forget-"

"I will not allow you to just give up. It just takes practice."

Rukia sighed and sat back down in her spot on the sofa. She blinked in surprised and suddenly blushed when Byakuya, instead of going back to his former seat, moved towards her and sat down in the small space between her and the cushions. She was so stunned at his actions that it took her a moment to increase the brightness of her blush when he suddenly put his arms around her and took her hands in his.

"Pay attention," he said, his voice and hot breath in her ear.

Coming slightly to her senses she looked down and watched as Byakuya placed the deck in her hands, put his own larger ones over hers, and gently guided her fingers.

"Like this," he said moving her fingers.

She stared in surprise as the cards floated perfectly in her hands, hands that were being guided by his.

"Now you try," he said, lessening his grip.

Taking a deep breath, and accidentally leaning back a bit, bumping into his chest, she forced herself to ignore the wonderful scent of him and to simply focus on what she was doing.

She wasn't sure if it was the warmth of his fingers that still fluttered over hers or the fact that she was half dazed by his close proximity but at that moment (and the only time ever in her life) she shuffled the cards perfectly and expertly.

"I did it!" she cried, jumping up slightly and intern falling back into him.

Her excitement quickly turned to embarrassment again when she realized that she was practically sitting in his lap, with her back now fully resting against his hard chest.

Turning her head she found herself insanely close to him, so much so that their noses were almost touching. Two pairs of eyes widened and Byakuya distinctly heard a sharp intake of breath causing him to shift his gaze. It was then that his eyes feel on hers and immediately he was trapped.

In the flickering light of the single remaining candle, for the other had recently burnt out, Byakuya found himself entranced by the flame that reflected and danced in her beautiful purple/blue eyes.

Rukia too had fallen victim to their closeness. Also having made the mistake of looking directly into his eyes, she was now hopelessly lost in the pools of darkness.

Without realizing it, she licked her lips and her eyes left his, instead traveling down his face only to linger on his lips. Gosh, they looks so soft, she thought to herself. I wonder what they taste like?…

They were both unknowingly, leaning in closer when, as if by magic, the last candle went out and the room was immediately bathed in absolute darkness.

Rukia blinked in shock and immediately became aware of her surroundings and the fact that she was sitting in his lap, with her face mere inches form his (she could distinctly feel his warm breath on her cheeks) in the pitch dark.

With her face beat red she practically shot from his lap. Standing up, she was actually grateful for the darkness that hid her embarrassment.

"I'll get another candle," came his voice from the darkness. Hearing the rustle of clothing very nearby, she carefully edged out of the way, trying her best to slow her racing heart.

Why on earth am I acting like this?! she thought to herself. This is just nii-sama… there is no way I should be feeling like this…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a crash of thunder. Turning, she headed towards the kitchen where she could already see the slight flickering of a flame.

"This is the last candle, and it will have to do us until tomorrow morning, unless the electricity comes back on."

Rukia's stomach growled and she moved to stare at the clock, grateful for the change of thought. Unfortunately Byakuya (and the light) was to far away and she was unable to make out the time.

Moving over to the fridge she opened it and peered into the darkness.

"Are you hungry now, at this hour?" he asked moving over to her, the candle holder in his hand.

"I didn't have any dinner, remember? Besides my stomach doesn't know what time it is," she said rummaging around in the fringe. "Move the light a bit closer, please."

Byakuya did so, standing behind her and staring into the cooling device to see what she was looking for.

"By the way, what time is it?"

"Almost 2 am, he said peering at the clock on the wall that just so happened to be beside the fridge.

"2!" she exclaimed standing up with a couple of yogurt cups.

Byakuya stared at the yogurt. "Apparently the time passed a lot quicker then you had expected?"

"I was having to much fun I guess," she said smiling, causing Byakuya's eyes to widen slightly.

"Here," she said holding out one of the yogurts, "you didn't eat anything either."

He stared at her then at the yogurt, to which his eyes widened even more when he saw that she was holding a strawberry flavored one.

"I don't like strawberry," he said.

Rukia turned surprised. "You don't?" she asked. "How about peach?"

"Alright," he said and much to his surprise she handed him her own cup then reached back into the fridge for another.

"I'm not a big fan of strawberry myself."

For some reason Byakuya felt a lot happier after hearing that.

After grabbing a pair of spoons Byakuya made his way to the table only to turn around and find that Rukia wasn't joining him.

"Lets eat it in bed," she said then promptly blushed at that way it sounded.

"Beds are for sleeping not for eating in," Byakuya responded automatically.

"Don't be silly. Beds aren't just for sleeping…" Her blush deepened for a moment. "I mean, haven't you ever had breakfast in bed? Its great fun!"

"Its not the morning," he replied.

Rukia couldn't help it, she rolled her eyes. "You have an answer for everything don't you?"

"Of course," he replied resisting the urge to smirk at her annoyed expression.

"Fine, you can eat it here, I'm going to get ready for bed then enjoy my snack in bed before I go to sleep."

Byakuya watched as she reached down and took a spoon from him. She then reached for the candle as well.

"I'm taking the light with me, so you can just sit here in the dark and enjoy your yogurt the proper way."

She blinked in surprise when he suddenly pulled the candle holder away from her reaching fingers.

"I'll carry it. Your hands are full and you'll just end up dropping it."

She huffed and turned away, heading down the hall with Byakuya following.

Emerging from the bathroom, now dressed in her pajamas and carrying the light, she wandered into the bedroom only to find Byakuya dressed in a silky black robe, with his hands clasped behind his back, staring out the large window. Looking out herself, she could now clearly see that the storm, which seemed to have lessened a bit during their card games, was returning with full force. She watched with a growing sense of unease as the lighting suddenly flashed, brightly illuminating the room for a split second.

"Does the storm bother you?" Byakuya asked, sensing her discomfort.

"Nah, it doesn't bother me," she replied trying to brush it off. The last thing she wanted was to look weak in Byakuya's eyes.

"Come, lets have our snack!" she said cheerfully, trying to change the topic.

Byakuya turned and watched as she set the candle on his bedside table and crawled onto the bed on his side. Blinking in surprise, he watched as she tossed the line of pillows that had divided the bed into two and crawled over to her side, farthest away from the window.

Reaching over for the treat that was sitting on her bedside table he watched as she grinned happily and tore open the small container.

Byakuya sighed slightly and sat down on his side of the bed, reaching for his own snack.

"You know, I had the hardest time with these when I first went to the human world." Rukia suddenly said from round her spoon. "Although, juice boxes were worse…"

"Have you ever had to open a tin pop can before?" he suddenly said.

She blinked and stared at his back which was currently facing her.

"Yes, they were tricky at first but I caught on quickly and it didn't bother me to much."

Byakuya was silent for a moment, before speaking again.

"In the past I was never really given to many assignments in the human world. Then finally they decided it was finally my turn to discover the delights of the modern human world. To say the least, the trip didn't go all that well. Then when the Kuchiki elders became aware of what happened, trusted servants were sent out to learn the ways of the modern world. They were then instructed to teach a few select members, most of which who had the chance of being actually sent on a mission to the human world, myself included, all that they had learned. To put it mildly, it was rather embarrassing. Being taught how to open juice boxes and to drive a automobile, among other things, by a servant was more then a little disconcerting."

Rukia, who had just finished her yogurt, stared at his back in surprise. "I had no idea that you had to learn all that. Heh, its to bad they didn't teach me some things before I was sent."

"They did not know of the assignment until it was to late. In fact even I was not informed about it until the day you actually left."

Rukia hesitated a moment before setting the empty cup on the small bedside table.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the trip… Captain Ukitake said he was going to tell you so… I -"

"Am I that unapproachable?" Byakuya suddenly said, turning around to face her.

Rukia felt her face heat just a touch. The flickering candle light was directly behind him casting a stream of light to dance across his features and at her angle it only highlighted how flawless his skin really was. His eyes seemed almost black in the limited light and they simply bore into her.

"Rukia?" he asked.

She blinked and blushed harder. "N-not so much anymore… nii-sama."

He turned and stared across the room. "But I was and still am. Your hesitance tells me just that."

"But-"

"Its hard. Having the burden and responsibility of being the head of a noble clan while at the same time having the responsibilities of being a Captain. It was all molded into me as a child growing up… and yet sometimes…" he sighed and stared off, his eyes lost.

At that moment Rukia saw Byakuya as she had never seen him before. Here was the man who was always unbeatable and proud sitting with his shoulders slightly slumped and speaking in such a way she was not used to hearing. Seeing him like that caused something to rise in Rukia, something that she had never felt before. Feeling her body almost move involuntary she suddenly found herself moving towards him.

So lost in his thoughts Byakuya was that he never heard her approach. Nearly jumping out of his skin, his head whipped round to stare down at the slender arms encircling his waist in shock. She was hugging him!

Twisting his head around he was just able to make out her face which was pressed against his back.

"Rukia…?"

"You just looked like someone who needed a hug." she said, her voice muffled slightly from the silky fabric.

Byakuya immediately felt mixed emotions rise within him. It had been so terribly long since a woman, or anyone for that matter, had had the courage to touch him, never mind actually hugging him. In fact the only woman who he had ever allowed to touch him in such a way was the one that Rukia looked so much like. Closing his eyes he forced down a lump that was rising in his throat. Then, taking a deep breath he forced his body to relax.

Rukia felt it too. So ridged he had been, he now slumped slightly. Tightening her arms for a moment she allowed herself to breath in his lovely scent for a moment longer before finally letting him go. Turing around slowly he stared at her as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Backing off slightly she stared deeply into his eyes. "I promise that from now on I will keep you informed to my actions, including any assignments."

Byakuya blinked then his eyes softened.

"Thank you, Rukia."

Crawling back into the bedding, Rukia gave him one last smile before almost instantly falling asleep.

He sat, simply staring at her sleeping form. She seemed so relaxed and peaceful. Sighing softly he reached over and replaced the scattered pillows creating the barrier again, before settling down into the bedding himself. He gave one last glance towards the rain slicked window before blowing out he candle and pitching the room into darkness.

It was still dark when Rukia work to the sound of a loud bang.

"What was that?" she said rubbing her eyes and sitting up.

"Its just the thunder," said Byakuya.

She glanced over and was just able to make out his shape sitting up in bed with his back against the headboard.

"Oh," she said staring towards the window. "What time is it?"

"About an hour before dawn," he replied quietly. "Go back to sleep, Rukia."

Her eyes widened when there was a sudden sharp flash of lightning followed by a window rattling clap of thunder. In the few moments that the light had flashed she had been able to see that the window was wet with rain.

"Like I'd be able to fall asleep again with all this racket," she murmured.

Byakuya said nothing, but watched as she slipped from the bed and reached for the lamp.

"The electricity's still out," Byakuya said before her hand even touched the switch.

"Great," she mumbled and with nothing better to do she crawled back into bed, yawning.

There was another flash of lighting then, and Byakuya could have swore that he saw her flinch.

"Does the storm bother you?" he asked again.

"I don't like the rain," was all she said.

"Why? The world and all the living things on it would dry up and die without rain."

She didn't reply and they both remained quiet for sometime, simply listening to the sound of the water hitting the window and the occasional clap of thunder.

"It was storming the night Kaien died," she finally whispered.

Byakuya turned to look in her direction. With the limited light he was barely able to make out her uncertain face.

"Yes, so I was told," he replied, his voice unusually soft.

"You were? So you know what-"

"Ukitake told me all that happened," Byakuya said calmly.

"Oh," Rukia looked down and began twisting her hands together in her lap. A sudden shifting of the mattress suddenly caught her attention and she looked up.

Byakuya had left the bed and had walked around it approaching her side. Her eyes widened when he suddenly sat down right beside her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you during that time."

The words came out slowly and hesitantly but softly nonetheless. "I know I haven't been there for you all that much, and there truly are so many things I regret… but I want you to know that if you ever need anything or just need someone to be there for you… that all you have to do is come to me."

Rukia stared in surprise and nearly jumped out of her skin when more lighting flashed.

Although, what happened next startled her even more. For just after the lightning had flashed a warm hand suddenly settled on her own. His fingers were surprisingly warm and rather comforting, especially when they slipped between her own fingers.

"Thank you, Nii-Sama," she whispered, tightening her fingers around his.

Then, although it might just have been a trick of the light, she swore that she saw Byakuya smile slightly.

Much to Rukia's relief the power came on again a few hours later. Deciding it was best to get up and get ready for the day both Rukia and Byakuya rose from the bed before the sun had completely come up.

Rukia absentmindedly stared at her reflection as she brushed her teeth in the bathroom. Her mind continually replayed the evenings and mornings events. Byakuya's soft words and gentle touch had left a big mark on her. Never before had he been this frank with her, and the fact that he had taken the time to try and comfort her, never mind actually touching her, had really caused her to take a second look at him. To her, he had always been such a introvert but she had had heard stores of what he use to be like. Ukitake had told her stories of what he had been like as a child, so rambunctious and even bratty, the boy had been forced to grow up into a man to quickly, stifling the life that he had once had. But… maybe, just maybe, if she tired her best, just maybe she could bring some of that spark for life back to his world.

Looking back on this trip, Rukia would always remember that the night of the storm, where they sat side by side on a single bed with just a candle for light, as the night that became the changing point in their relationship. A new understanding had been created and she felt, even if it was just a little, that she knew just a bit more about the inner workings that was Byakuya Kuchiki.

Sighing slightly, she rinsed her mouth and placed her tooth brush back into its holder, but paused for a moment to observe his sitting right beside. Yes, maybe this trip would be just what Byakuya Kuchiki needed and maybe, just maybe, she could be the one to show him what living really meant.

Sorry for the slow update. I've been so busy with commissions lately that I've barely had anytime to write.

Rukia: I can't wait until the next chapter is posted, I finally get to use my bathing suit!

Me: Would you be quiet, I don't want you to spoil it for my dear readers.

Rukia: But wasn't it you that said you were going to add in a hint about how much fun you had going into 'descriptive mode' and how much fun it was to write about a wet Bya-

Me: STOP! Don't give it away!

Byakuya: … *randomly wanders into the kitchen and promptly sticks his head into the fridge*

Me&Rukia: ^^;

Rukia: *whispers* Its because he missed his dinner and all he had to eat was a small serving of yogurt…

Me: Well who's fault was that?

Rukia:…. *changes topics* Don't forget to review everyone!!!

Hehee, ya, what she said. :)

Again big thanks to: Kuchiki Rukia-taichou, Ai-Kitsuneko Yuurei, dayanara, Frozenhowl, roll model, sairypetshogun, 1SuperKawaii, ByaRukifan, sickgirl, K a R aNature, LilyGirl101, vicky, and RukiaYoukoMaSaHi who took the time again to review! *hugs*