(This chapter is through Byakuya's eyes)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracing my finger down from her lips to her neck, I used my other hand and gripped her shoulder. The minute it did I could feel it shudder and I knew she was surprised. I leaned forward, ever so closely so that my lips were right beside her ear, and whispered, "I love you, Rukia."

"Nii-sama…" Her voice trailed away.

Before she could say anymore, I pressed my lips upon her very own. This time, surprisingly, she did not pull away.

After some time, I pulled away reluctantly. Oh, how I wanted this moment to last…this very moment where we were left alone…together…in my room.

Wiping my lips with the back of my right hand, "My love for you…is unbreakable," I went on. "I want an answer from you…an honest one…about your feelings for me. I will give a day to think about it…"

I watched her walk away slowly. I knew that she would make the right decision…something inside of me…it just gave me that positive feeling.

The time has come for her to make the decision…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My vice- captain is expecting you to be there."

Those were the only words I caught from what Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of the 10th squad, had just come to inform me.

Something about a sake- drinking party… I nodded, acknowledging his invitation, even though I did not grasp his every word. Ever since Rukia left my room, I was deep in thought. Part of me was glad that she had finally understood the feelings I hold for her. However, another side of me was nervous…

"Would she accept me for who I am? Would she return my feelings?" These thoughts haunted me.

I figured out that since we were not related by blood…it would be fine…if our ties as a brother and sister…could develop into a more…stronger relationship…

Is that wrong? Is it wrong in any way to fall in love with my deceased wife's sister?

I…I can't control myself anymore…I am afraid that…if I get anymore closer to Rukia…I might lose control of my body…and it will act on its own. I love her…

I love her too much…

How could this have happened? How did my love for her develop to become such a burning desire? I…I don't know what to do anymore…

-Few hours later-

Why am I even attending this party? Never once did I drink…

Oh yea, I needed to wash my fears away…my fears which built up as from this relationship as every day went by slowly…

As I walked towards the 10th squad's barracks, my hands were clenched.

"Kuchiki Taicho! What a surprise to see you here! I did not even expect you to attend this party!" Matsumuto put her arm around my shoulder and giggled while her breasts jiggled. In her other hand, she held a jar filled with sake.

Obviously…this is Matsumuto we are talking about…the woman who loves to do nothing else but drink. When given the opportunity, she would drink till she was sick. That was how she worked, till now.

Before I could comment on anything, she pushed a jar of sake into my hands and walked away to join the other vice- captains. I looked around the room, where I found Ukitake and Kyōraku seated on the far left side of the room, chatting happily.

Upon sighting me, they beckoned to me. As I walked towards them, I put on my normal poker face. I sat beside Ukitake who asked what I was doing at this kind of place.

"Kuchiki Taicho, I never expected to see you in these kinds of parties. There must be a side of you which we don't know about, eh?" Kyōraku asked jokingly.

I kept my mouth shut.

Taking a sip from the jar, the sake which entered my mouth tasted rather… bitter. However, I could stand it. Emptying the jar, I suddenly felt giddy. After all, it was my first time drinking sake and I was not used to the after- effects.

Damn it.

The next thing I knew…darkness.

-Few MORE hours later-

I opened my eyes slowly…once my vision was focused, I realized that I was staring right at Renji's concerned eyes.

"Where am I? What happened?" I asked, confused.

Just then, everything came back to me.

"Kuchiki Taicho, I carried you back to your room after you fainted from drinking just one jar of sake. I was there too, but I doubt you even noticed me" Renji spoke.

I nodded, and sat up straight.

"Renji…do you mind me asking you a few questions?" I asked. I wanted to clear a few of my doubts and this was a great opportunity for me to do so.

Renji shook his head.

"Are you okay with me having a relationship with your best friend?...and your first love…"

Renji's eyes opened wide a moment too soon. He then avoided Byakuya's gaze and looked to the ground.

"I know, Renji…I know that you have a crush on her…" I added.

"Taicho…You make Rukia happy. When she is happy, I am happy too. In other words…please let her smile last…and never let another drop of tear fall from her eyes…I will be at peace as I want the best for her…" he replied, tears welling in his eyes.

He then looked up at me, with a smile on his face.

"Anyways, you need to rest. I will see you tomorrow. Good night…"

As the tategu closed behind Renji, I let out a small sigh.

"Good night…" I whispered.

Tomorrow…the truth will be unfolded.

Yes, tomorrow…

-END-

OMG! I AM DYING! I DID NOT DO WELL FOR MY EXAMS…AT ALL!

You people should know what I mean…my freedom is gonna be taken away! NOOOOOOOOOOO! *falls down onto knees slowly and dramatically* Which also means that I will update my chapters MUCH MUCH later than usual. My ideas are also running out so…good time to think, eh?

Don't forget to do the usual reviewing…really appreciate it.

(fyi, I am supposed to be doing maths exercise book but I feel bad for updating late and so I took this opportunity, whr my parents still haven't returned home, to write tis chap in 15min. Forgive me if there are mistakes… xD)

The holidays are here and I am going overseas soon for some time. I am bringing my laptop don't worry…but I am not sure if I can get any connection. I will try my best to do as many chaps as I can so…yea! CHAO! xD