Hello, lovelies!
I know I'm pretty late and I have to say I'm sorry. I really am. I wanted to make a special update for Rukia's b'day, but I didn't feel like writing for the past few days. Sorry xD A lot happened the last few weeks and I just felt my chapter was not that good. I'm not sure it is yet hehe
However, I'll do my best to update January, 31, because it's Byakuya's b'day.
Just a friendly request: please don't kill me because I mentioned Ichigo. I assure you it's COMPLETELY necessary for the story, to make it believable. I'll mention it in the 2nd AN ok? Bear it for me?
Ah, thanks to Flávia once again (as always) and to every single beautiful soul who left me reviews. They really, really makes me happy. And please: stop guessing all of it hahahah I couldn't stop laughing with some of your reviews. You amazed me how you got it. I can't mention your names here, because you'd know what I'm talking about, but I loved each review and L, dear. No I have no mercy. I'm not feeling guilty about it. hahaha To all the other reviewers, I'd love to reply all of them, but I can't, so my deepest gratitude. You all make this story. Love you all.
Also, to the guest who said silent reader. This chapter is for you. Hope you like it, dear and if you feel like tell me what you think, ok? I'd love to know your name xD it makes easier to thank you.
AAhhhh, I didn't fix the mistakes you'll surely find in this chapter, because I've just finished it, after spending two days writing it. I'll do it tomorrow ok?
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just this plot.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7. Blankly
"Papá," the yell echoed through the house. It did not receive any answer though.
Her father was not at home.
Good.
A small smile blossomed on the corner of her lips. Finally, she would have some time to sneak into his study room and continue the interesting reading.
How she loved symbols! They were far more intriguing than any other book she had at her disposal and she could tell she had far more than she ever thought possible. Mainly because she could read once her name there.
If possible, it only increased her curiosity.
But... He did not want her to read them.
Why?
It was the only one thing she could remember from her past and at first he let her indulge in such reading, but now... Now she had found her name in one of them, he did not want her to touch them ever again.
So she was invading.
The mere thought made her feel sick. She did not like lying or hiding anything from him, but he left her no choice.
"Papá," she called out once again, afraid he was merely silent, but still around.
She did not think he would do anything bad to her, like so many people before him, but he would be disappointed and the girl could take anything — even get spanked, she was used to it nonetheless and wore the scars of her adventures in search for food in the street markets — but his disappointment.
Once again there was no answer.
He was not at home.
It was safe.
Slowly, still afraid of a sudden arrival, she entered the study room, closing the door behind her. If he showed up sooner than she expected, she would jump down the large windows.
Yeah.
That was it.
He would never find out she had been in there.
Eagerly, she walked to the bookshelf and looked for that notebook. It did not took her more than a few seconds to spot them.
Damn, too high!
If only she were a few inches taller...
She sighed. It was not that impossible, after all, she thought to herself as she got a chair and climbed onto it. It merely took a stretch of fingers to get it. The same notebook she had been looking for.
Still up in the chair, she started the reading. Surprisingly, it told her nothing about her life as she actually expected. On contrary, it merely contained a list with names.
By why would a simply list with names be encoded?
She could not understand.
Slowly, she climbed down the chair and sat on the wooden floor. Curiosity took over her as she flipped the pages and found nothing but names encoded.
What were those names?
She traced her fingers upon it, as if she knew what they meant, but somehow could not remember.
What is it? she told herself. Think! Think! You'll remember! You have to!
She was so lost in thoughts she did not hear the steady steps approaching the room.
It was too late before she could realize he had caught her.
"What are you doing?"
###
His concern was almost palpable when he watched her sleeping form on the soft mattress of Yoruichi's guest room.
She had a cloth placed on her forehead, drying the droplets of sweat of her skin and keeping her temperature under control. He could say she was still uneasy, even with everyone — included the Duchess — out of the room.
He knew he should have asked a doctor to take a look at her before, but he did not do anything because her safety was none of his concern. Her life meant nothing to him.
And now he had just found out it was quite the contrary.
His eyes left her and surveyed the room. It was big and comfortable. The door, despite closed for the time being, always received a few maids coming in and out to bring new soaked cloth to place upon her head while they waited for the doctor.
The fireplace were not lit, for he decided it was better not to keep the room scalding, even though she trembled in the bed and tried to cover her own body with the sheets.
There was only one problem with that room: it was not where he wanted her to be, but it would do. It had to.
Actually, there was no option left.
Rukia's skin was burning. Her eyes were unfocused and her pulse was painfully weak.
Although he wanted to carry her back home and far from further questionings from Yoruichi and everyone else, he could not risk her safety.
He did not hear anything from the hellish Duchess, but Renji was the first to ask him if he was going to become a… Father.
It went unanswered, of course, for it was not of his friend's business. He merely narrowed his eyes and he wondered if his glance was too severe for Renji raised his hands in surrender and apologized.
Good.
The last he wanted and needed were further questionings about his relationship with Rukia.
He heard a low grunt and shifted his attention back to her. Her face was contorted into a grimace of pure pain. He watched as she pressed her little fingers against the bed sheets, curling upon it until the fingertips became white.
Strangled noises left her lips. Byakuya knew it was because she was delirious once again. He did not know what to do to calm her down, but it seemed she got better when so many people left the room. The silence seemed to calm her down, but once in a while — and it had not been far more than one hour since she passed out in his arms — she would let out a few grunts and become uneasy.
He then tried something he did not until now.
To be completely honest, Byakuya had no idea if it would work out. He felt a little unsure about doing what he was about to do, but he did nonetheless.
Moving towards the bed and leaving the armchair he was sitting on for what seemed days, he sat close to her and placed her head gently on his lap.
For a brief second he was under the impression she had awakened, but it was not true. She merely moved her head a little bit aside. Her brows knitted together and a lonely tear ran down her pale face.
He did not know what to do, but it seemed he was wrong to get closer to her. It seemed he was only inflicting more pain to her, instead of making it easier. Decided to give her a little bit of more space, he tried to move away, but her small hand shot to his, holding it in a firm grasp.
"Please, stay." Her voice was shaky as these simple words left her trembling lips. Her grasp over him only tightened when she received no answer.
Taken aback by the sudden gesture and begging, Byakuya merely let out,
"I am here, Rukia."
"N-No! Please, stay," she begged once more in a weaker and crying tone.
"I am here. I am not going anywhere," he gave her hand a little and comforting squeeze. He wanted her to know he would not leave her alone.
Nonetheless, even his reassuring words did not seem to work. Her voice came out as a piercing cry this time.
"Please, don't go. Stay…" Not only had a single tear left her closed eyes, but much more. Uncountable salty tears washed her face. Strangled sobs shook her chest and shoulders. "Stay," she begged once more, not letting go of his hand. Never letting go.
Byakuya stayed silent, realizing she was not asking him to stay with her, but someone else. She was delirious once again. Whoever it was in her mind right now, it was making her apprehensive.
Nonetheless, he did dry her face. His fingers slid carefully on her face, wiping away the salty droplets. More left her eyes, wetting her skin. When she began sobbing again, he spoke, even though he knew it would do nothing to shake her off of her mind.
"Shhh, I am here, Rukia," he whispered close to her face, drying her face and squeezing her hand.
"Promise you won't leave," she said, stopping crying little by little.
He knew she was not awake, but in some way — he had no idea how — he managed to get into her mind and make her believe what he was saying was actually happening, mixed with her delirium.
"I won't."
And despite the fact she did not know it was him who was talking to her, he promised it for real.
He would not lose her.
Not once again.
###
One hour before.
They were back. Baron Abarai and Count Schiffer entered the Ballroom and walked towards a waiter, speaking curtly with him. The servant then nodded and left the crowded place. Yoruichi shifted her attention from her guests and looked at Renji, but he merely shook his head — indicating she would know shortly.
She then looked for her husband and for Byakuya and Rukia, but the Duke Kuchiki and his mistress, as that people thought, were nowhere in sight.
A few couples were still dancing and did not notice the tense exchange of glances, let alone the fact the Duke and his Lady were missing. But there were those who were not dancing and those who liked to meddle in what did not concern them.
They began taking.
Where were they?
What were they doing?
Did they leave?
It was clear as crystal the matrons were gossiping with their daughters about how bad Rukia's behavior was — and how they should not behave like her. How could she be so selfish to the point of carrying the Duke out of the Ball without allowing him to bid farewell to the hosts, his own comrades and friends?
Did she have no heart?
How could she think only of herself and her own shameful desires?
From where she was with Lady Kuukaku, a very old friend of hers, talking to Lord Shunsui — he had not brought his sister, Soi Fong, with him — she could hear a few murmurs about Byakuya and Rukia. She rolled her eyes in a mix of annoyance and displeasure.
She had no idea where they were, but she could not care less. Byakuya was an adult and therefore responsible for his acts. Rukia was not a child either and if she followed him inside to do whatever they were doing, it was because she chose to.
The idea of Byakuya carrying her forcefully to some room to make out was inconceivable. There was no need to mention it was even ridiculous the simply thought that Rukia could seduce him and drag him to do it without he could even protest — or think about how scandalous it could be.
Was Byakuya even easy to be seduced?
She doubted.
Well… The truth, however, was that both of them were caught in a very compromising position once. It would not be a surprise if it happened again.
A small smile blossomed on the corner of her lips when she saw her husband approaching. He surely knew where her Little Byakuya went and if he was accompanied by some petite Lady.
The gesture simply fell down when he did not reciprocated it. It was… weird. Suspicious, she would say. Kisuke was always smiling, not matter what and he was… serious.
He finally crossed the gap between then and by bowing his head before his guests just a little, he took his Duchess' hands between his.
In this very moment, the whole ballroom went silent. The musicians stopped playing and everyone turned their attention to the hosts in a signal of pure respect. The couples dancing stepped backwards and waited for instructions.
A few people dared to whisper their thoughts, but most of them remained silent.
"I am afraid I have to take my lady far from you," he announced. Even his tone was different. It caused Yoruichi's eyes to narrow. Both Lady Kuukaku and Lord Shunsui nodded their heads. "I promise she will reunite you shortly."
Yoruichi smiled and looked at him concerned. He merely smiled back and signalized so the musicians could resume their job. The soft music flowed in the Ballroom and a few couples were back to dancing.
It felt awkward though. People resumed chatting and this time the new topic revolved around the weird way the Duke approached his Duchess.
"What happened?" Yoruichi asked when she found herself in a secure place.
Surprisingly, Urahara did not took his time introducing the matter, he went to the point.
"Lady Rukia passed out," he said at once.
Yoruichi laughed. She thought the same everyone thought.
"Byakuya you quick little thing!"
"No, he is not," Urahara replied. "She has the necklace."
His cold words caused Yoruichi's eyes to shot open and the smile on her lips fall down.
"Wow."
"Wow, Yoruichi," he agreed. This time he smiled. She kind of missed his white bright teeth out there for all to see. "You know what it means."
His wife nodded.
"You go help him with the girl and I'll…"
He did not finish what he was saying. It was not needed. Both of them knew what they needed to do.
It was time to put plan B to work.
###
The noise of the pointers on the clock began to disturb him more than Rukia's struggled grunts. Every minute that went by assured her sickness.
He watched her features very carefully. For the past few minutes after he decided to place her head on his lap, she seemed to have improved a little bit. Her face was dry; no tear threatened to ran down her cheeks. No sound, except the small cries, left her lips.
His hand was still between hers and he made no move to break apart. Byakuya stood still, in the same position for what seemed hours, waiting the doctor's arrival. He merely moved when he needed to change the piece of cloth placed on her forehead. It happened only once and merely because she began struggling so fiercely it fell from its place.
His eyes travelled from her face to the small necklace hanging on her neck. It leaned on her small chest, rising and falling according to the rhythm of her breath. He could see the notches carved in the little piece; they reminded him the promise he made once.
They are your responsibility. If anything ever happens to them, it's all on you, Byakuya.
The remembrance echoed in his mind using his grandfather's voice. He was serious, more than he usually was. Ginrei knew how important they were and their safety meant a lot to him. To the entire country, actually. But since they were daughters of his close friend he was specially interested in ensure they landed their feet in England as they deserved.
Byakuya merely nodded his understanding.
It all happened before he traveled to Spain. He was responsible for their lives and if he failed…
He could not fail.
And he did not. They were already dead when he arrived to their house. It all happened before he placed his foot on that unknown land.
At least, they should be dead.
He did not cared about looking for precise information. He believed in what he heard; which was unlike him. He only believed what his eyes could see, what he could touch, he could listen. He had to certificate himself, but the only time he did not it all ended…
Like that.
He sighed.
It was all his fault.
If Rukia was suffering right now it was all because of him. Because he did not do what was under his power to ensure their safety. He should have known someone could attack them when he first planned going to Spain.
Deep inside he knew why he failed.
He failed because he did not want to meet her. He was still entranced for that beautiful girl he barely talked, but found himself in love with. He did not want to meet his future wife — protect her was one thing, but marry her? — for he knew it implied letting his crush go — even if they were nothing to each other.
When he knew she was dead it had been — he did not want to put like this, but that was the bare truth — a relief. He now could do what he wanted to do of his love life.
Of course, it was merely an illusion. She married another man before he could even talk to her. She was pregnant… Before the marriage. It was considered the scandalous of the century for a couple of weeks. Or until the court found another topic to make a fuss about.
He did not have time to process what he felt for sure because his mother died and he decided join his grandfather shortly after in the War. His father was dead and so was his mother and his crush was… out of reach.
There was nothing left in London for him.
The result of his careless planning was two dead girls, a useless notebook in hands and a War to fight.
If only he knew they were not dead — he still wondered how they survived. If only he knew Hisana knew the codes, if…
There were so many if in this story he would lose days to count all of them. Hisana was dead and with her the key to translate that damn notebook.
It explained why Rukia reacted so curiously when she found them opened in the floor. She could not read them — if the story was right, of course — but she recognized them.
Even if she had lost her memory such an important fact would surely remain. He knew they were trained to recognize and read the codes since very early. His father told him they learned the codes together with their native language. The reading came as easy as speaking English and French.
Byakuya held many doubts about only one knowing the code, but he could not force her to tell him anything. Rukia was stubborn as hell; she would never reveal the truth if she felt cornered.
It should come wittingly.
For now his duty was to protect her — even from his friends. They saw her necklace, they recognized her as one of the dead girls. They would try to make her tell everything she knew.
He saw Ulquiorra's stare. He thought her fainting was fake. Byakuya could think the same if he did not know her. If he had not seen her complaining about her headache for days.
If it was all on him.
They are your responsibility. If anything ever happens to them, it's all on you, Byakuya.
His grandfather's voice kept echoing in the depths of his mind and he almost lost track of the door being opened. Yoruichi's head entered through the double-faced door and stared at him. A weak smile filled with concern appeared on her lips. He did not reciprocated the gesture as he removed Rukia's head gently of his lap. He rose up and retreated a few steps back, leaving room for the doctor to check upon her.
"The doctor is here, Byakuya," she said, even though he already knew she was there. She opened one of the leafs to let the woman walk in. A servant entered the room and left her handbag on the table and by bowing dutifully he left the room. No one paid attention to him though.
"Lady Unohana," Byakuya acknowledged her.
"Your Grace," she replied with a gentle smile. She did not bow before him as it was expected, she merely bowed her head. It did not bother the Duke, who took in her features.
She looked a little bit tired, as if she had been sleeping by the time the servant came to ask her to check upon the Duke's whatever she was. Both, the Duke and the Doctor shared a brief glance. She was the doctor of his family and of his friends' too for quite a while. He could not trust anyone else to take care of Rukia.
That's why he did not care about calling her so late at night. And he would pay well for her services. Everyone knew he was not kind to anyone, but he did not mind paying for a service — mainly if it was about healthy. In this case, Rukia's healthy.
In the bed, another small grunt left the patient's lips, which caused both to avert their attention back to her.
"I will leave you alone," Yoruichi's voice echoed in the quite silent room. "If you need me…" she left her sentence in the middle.
Still staring at the young girl in the bed, she approached the bed slowly. She did not talk, she did not ask anything, she merely sat on the corner of the bed and took a brief look at Rukia's features.
She looked tired, exhausted, to be honest. She was sweating again and her mouth often let out struggled grunts born from her delirious state.
"She is delirious, I see…" she spoke to herself. She was not paying attention to Byakuya anymore and touched the girl's face, opening her eyes lightly. With a sigh, she got up and looked at her handbag.
"Stay," he said and moved to get it for her. With a smile, she merely bowed her head, thanking him.
Unohana turned her attention back to the collapsed girl lying on the mattress. She smiled as she felt the young Duke staring at both of them with a serious face. Although he thought he could hide his feeling from anyone, it was not true. Unohana knew him since he was a just a spoiled child who used to follow his father and mother everywhere.
This girl was somehow important to him. She could not just figure why yet. She did not think it was because of her physical similarity to his last lover. He was too serious to do anything like this. To feel like this. Despite his young age, the boy she knew was far more mature than people could ever expect him to be when it came to the matters of heart.
The Lady Tu Odelschwanck was important for another reason. But why?
As he crossed his strong arms on his chest, she could almost hear him asking, Is she going to be okay? But as closed and cold as he was, he was not going to voice it out, which caused Unohana's smile to grow a bit more.
"Worry you not, Your Grace. She will be fine," she answered the unspoken question.
###
As soon as Yoruichi returned to the Ballroom she spotted some guests still dancing and the others enjoying themselves in the Company of her husband. He made a few ladies and lords laugh.
Yoruichi smirked at him and he smirked back. Their eyes connected as if sharing a tremendous secret no one would ever know.
As the Duchess made her way to her husband, she talked to a few guests, always showing her bright and cunning smile. She heard some of them talking again about the Duke and Rukia and she wondered until when they would be the gossip of London.
No one seemed to care about anything else.
The fact he had a lover was not important to anyone else anymore. In fact, it was pretty common — who did not have a lover after all? Women were not allowed to be sexy creatures to their husbands, actually they should only open their legs to provide the spawn and no pleasure were included in this. It was perfectly normal men had mistress then, right?
It was completely acceptable, but not when their whole attention shifted back to those women.
Rukia was nobody. She did not have a title, she did not have a name. She was merely a preceptor — and only God could possible know what else —, therefore she had no right to marry him, to be near him in public, and touch him in public. Dancing waltz with him was unthinkable.
What the Duke was doing was probably the scandal of the century! At least it was until they found anything they considered worse to talk about.
Yoruichi rolled her eyes as she read their minds. It was not needed to be a medium or anything supernatural to know what they were thinking. It made her feel disgusted at all those people dancing in her Ballroom and talking among themselves as if Rukia was not even a person.
Alright.
To them she was not. She was nothing but a whore. Would it ever be different?
The Duchess pitied the young girl. If she was really going to become Byakuya's duchess she would have to learn to deal with those people and from what she had seen that night… It would not be a problem.
Still… Even if she could manage them and make them appreciate her. There would always be someone trying to make her fall from grace. Because those people would never accept someone of her status. As they never accepted her husband fully. They never would.
So many years of marriage and people still thought they could make them break apart. Such naïve impression…
Only if they knew her lineage…
She snapped such thoughts from her mind when she finally reached her husband. She was still holding some Baron's arm. She could not even remember his name, but he had offered to dance with her and she refused politely, but asked him to guide her to her husband. She had danced with him that night. More than once, actually.
When she was about to step to Kisuke's extended hands, the Baron spoke close to her,
"I would surely like to meet you another time in more appropriate place." It was merely a whisper, no one would ever hear it. No one but her. She frowned and stared right at her husband, but even if he knew what her expression meant, he did not remove his smile from his face. She smiled back. "I know Your Grace would enjoy my…"
"Your company?" she said a little bit louder. Now Kisuke stared back at her and his smile faded away. "I am sure my husband would like to meet you and play cards. Just please, don't try to practice fencing, he's too good to lose."
The Baron's cunning smile died on his lips as soon as he heard her reply.
She smiled in the same mischievous way and clapped her hands, looking at her guests. Everyone turned their attention to her, even the musicians stopped playing to stare at the Duchess. She held her husband's gloved hand and shared a quick glance.
"Alright, my Lords and Ladies," she started politely. "I would like to say how much I appreciate your company this night, but now the Ball is over. Please follow my butler outside. And please take this man out of my sight."
All the guests stared at her face in shock. Some covered their mouths. Some others started speaking about her boldness, but none of them dared to contest a Duchess. Some others looked at her Duke — and it seemed they only remembered he was Duke when they needed to shut her up — with pleading looks. It could not be left as it was.
"Did you not hear? Follow the Duchess' desires, Ladies and Gentleman. The party is over."
With that, he kissed her gloved hand and smiled at her, watching closely as the unknown Baron walked off the Ballroom feeling despised and his ego bruised.
He knew it would not be that way.
The Duke and his Duchess, however, did not care.
###
It smelled like fish. Rotten fish.
She did not like the odor not even the tiniest bit. She did not like how cold it was in that place. She did not like the gray clouds in the sky, she did not like the absence of light. Back in Spain, her motherland, despite the cold weather during the winter the sun always shone upon them.
In this strange land it was different.
People did not seem not even nice. They wore masks as they work, they barely talked and English men always ogled her as if she was some kind of appetizing food they were eager to taste.
She raised her chin, there was no way she would let them know she was scared. No one would ever read her feelings. She did not bother covering herself; she pretended she was appropriately dressed — even if everybody could say her dress was smaller than it should.
A sigh left her lips. It was not her fault her thighs were almost uncovered. It was not her fault she had to work in the ship so they could keep her there and bring her safely to England — or close to it.
I need you… He started, but paused after a wave of coughs crashed upon him. The girl placed a handkerchief on his mouth, removing the blood there gently. He had no more strength to do it by himself.
Don't talk, papá. She rose up from his bed. I'll get you some… She could not finish her sentence and not leave him, for he grabbed her wrist between his weakened and trembling fingers.
Don't. I-I w-will talk. He smiled or tried. Every time he moved his facial muscles too much he lost the ability to speak and started coughing heavily. She nodded even if she was worried about his condition. I-I ne-need you to get o-out of he-here.
What? No! She replied.
They are coming… He caressed her cheek lightly. For me… You need to leave and find him…
I-I… She started, a few tears threatened to run down her cheeks. I can't. She moved her fingers towards his bedside table and got a crystal jar containing poppy milk. She damped his lips with it as the local doctor once taught her. He quickly snapped her hand away, however.
You must. Listen. His voice was better now. I don't have much time. You must get out of here and contact Captain Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, he will help you to get to England. There you must look for…
His voice was interrupted by a couple of voices in the ground floor. The girl's eyes shot open, but she did not move, instead she asked,
For?
There was no time left. He merely kissed her cheek and said,
Go. Now.
But you…
I am dying, child. Just go.
It was the last time she saw her father.
She looked for the ship in the nearby Port as she was instructed. The Captain however said it was highly dangerous — she recalled she had heard these words frequently in the past few months — to carry her with the money she had in hands. Rukia was afraid he would not take her, but he did, under one condition: she should work the whole way without complaining.
It seemed easy, if it was not the embarrassing clothes they make her wear.
She was alone. She had no one but herself. There was no father, no Spain, everything she ever knew was gone and now she was merely running for her life.
From one day to another, her life was turned upside down. Nothing was the same and it would never be.
They would catch her if she allowed them. They would surely make her suffer, they would…
A seventeen girl landing her feet on a new and foreign land was not that surprising. People from several countries did the same everyday, but she was different.
Different in what she did not know. It seemed it would take a long time before she could decipher it.
She walked barefoot on the pier, her toes seemed frozen when they came in contact with the gelid big stones. She tried to hold onto her own body heat, but it seemed impossible as the minutes went by.
It was dark there. The few men working did not care to look at her or offer some help, and the ones who did looked at her in a way no men ever should. It sent a shiver up her spine.
Startled, she put her eyes on the ground floor and kept walking towards the exit. She did not know that Port very well, but it seemed it was not for people — she had not seen anyone there, not arriving at least or departing for that matter — only for things.
It made her feel even uneasy.
Eyes still locked on the door, she did not notice the drunk men coming towards her. When she did, it was too late. He was holding her by the shoulders and speaking in a way she could not understand, even if her English was fluent.
She tried to shove him away, but she was not that strong. She had not eaten for almost an entire day; she felt hungry, tired and feeble.
Let me go! She continued to punch him in the chest, but he did not let her go. The girl merely closed her eyes, too weak to fight.
You heard her. Let her go.
One man placed his hand on the man's shoulder. It did not make him stop, but then he moved him away forcefully, throwing him at the ground. The girl almost fell altogether, but the man held her by the arms.
Stunned, she did not thank him and a little bit scared she moved away from him. He respected her choice and stepped backwards. After a few seconds without her saying anything, he teased.
Aren't you going to say thank you?
She did not say anything. She remained quiet. She did not know him, she did not trust him. What if he merely helped her to do what that man was thinking first? What if they actually knew each other? What if…
I could help you… He started, but at seeing her face, he gave up and walked away, deciding to leave her alone.
The girl looked at her surroundings attentively, a few more man looked at her and quickly ran to him.
What is your name?
She was not going to say thank you. She did not ask his help in the first place.
Even if she could not see his face, when he stepped closer to an area more illuminated she saw his hair. It was spiky and its color was… different. Amusing.
It was orange.
Her answer did not came. It made her purse her lips.
Are you deaf? What is your name?
He stopped all of sudden, which caused her to crash against him hardly. He did not hold her to prevent her from falling. Instead, he let her crash against the floor. She was annoying. Still, he helped her to get up and held her closer by the hand.
Ichigo.
###
They are your responsibility. If anything ever happens to them, it's all on you, Byakuya.
He slowly opened his eyes before the words on his head. It was like Ginrei himself was there speaking this line. It was as if his deceased grandfather knew what could happen and warned him long before, so he would not commit such mistake.
But he was a foolish boy.
He did not pay enough attention.
Byakuya did not wonder if Ginrei would blame him, because he already did it. He did not wish, however, he could go back in time and make it all right. Such thought was useless. He was not a child anymore and as a man responsible for his acts — even the foolish ones — he knew it was a waste of time.
He shook such thoughts from his mind when Rukia went delirious again. She was better now after Doctor Unohana came and medicated her. The diagnosis: migraine. The fever was what was making her delirious. As soon as her body temperature returned to its normal, it would stop.
It seemed she was still in no better condition.
He rose up from his chair and looked at the clock on the wall. It was still night, but the dawn was almost closer. Slowly, he walked back to the bed and place her head on his lap. His hands found its way to hers. Once again, she seemed to improve. The expression of fear left her features and then she spoke one name.
Ichigo.
Byakuya frowned as her lips left this simple word. He did not know any Ichigo… Except for that Ichigo. But he was dead. Everyone who worked to the Crown knew it.
Was it possible for they to…
He did not have time to jump into early conclusions because at the same time her big, violet eyes shot open. Startled, she looked up at him and suddenly her face relaxed.
No comment came from Byakuya, but she already expected it. He was always so damn silent sometimes she would forget he knew how to talk.
Rukia then averted her eyes to their joined hands. He did not loose his grip over it even when she fully opened her eyes. Her head still hurt, her body was still hot, but she still felt cold. It seemed she was still feverish after all.
Her violent eyes then focused on his grey irises. She held her breath as read it there.
Concern…
So he was not a machine in the end. He felt something. He was human.
"Did you stay with me the whole night?"
He did not reply. It was so him. However, he was not as unreadable as ever. She knew the truth even if he did not say it loud.
Yes. He stayed with her the whole night. He was the one who took care of her.
Maybe it was not Ichigo who was there for her this time, but it did not matter that much. Despite the fact she still wanted to save him and would love if he was close, she could not deny she felt safe with the Duke.
She could not deny she appreciated his concern and care.
"Thank you, Your Grace," she whispered.
He nodded.
It did not matter who Ichigo was to her, he would do what he had to do from now on.
Looking back at Rukia's opened eyes, he decided it.
He would marry her.
A/N – Okay. I know this chapter is a little bit boring and that's why I tried to make it shorter. If compared to the others, it is.
I mean… while some chapters are focused on Rukia, other's are in between. This one I tried to make all the emotions on Byakuya. I know he's OOC, but I think as the story goes far it'll happen. Hope you don't mind.
Actually, now he knows Rukia is his promised wife and he feel guilty (yeah, he merely think it's only that for now) he thinks it's his duty to protect her and act more nicely towards her. It doesn't mean he's gonna say love you that quick. We're talking 'bout Byakuya after all.
About my mention about Ichigo… Sorry. I know some of you hate him or dislike him completely, but it's just logical for her to think about him, right? I mean, she loved him (or at least she thinks so) and it would sound too fake if she just forget him all of sudden, don't you think? What kind of love is this you can forget so easily just because you met a handsome man? Rukia is true in all her feelings, she's passionate about everything she does is intense.
Rest assured, she'll love Byakuya, but I want to make it true, to make their bond unbreakable and it only happens if it takes time.
Aha, I could make at least one chapter without a cliff. Don't you think I should be reward for this?
Leave me a review and tell me what you think!
Take care, my lovelies
Velvetsins
