A/N: Sorry for the late update; it was busy lately and couldn't find time to type this chapter… I hope it's not late for a special dedication to my dear okaasan, Ichiruki143 (at BA), who had just celebrated her birthday last November 4 (I think).

(But the real dedication is still for codegal-san ^^)

Enjoy and please review!!!

Chapter 9

"This strange feeling… could it be that I'm –" cherry tint flushed on Rukia's cheeks as she talked to herself in her room. "Nii- – Byakuya…" Her chest thumped faster and she was redder than before. It was somewhat nice to say his first name and if she would ever call him with it, she hopes that he won't mind it at all. Suddenly, she yelped in surprise when Byakuya opened the door.

"Are you alright? How are you feeling?" his voice was a bit husky for concern but the harshness still lingers.

"Huh! Eh?! Yeah, I'm fine now. Thank you very much," She said as she turned her back at him to hide her face from his eyes.

"I see. Is there something wrong?" he placed his hand on her left shoulder, Rukia reddened a lot more but she was relieved that he would not see her face and the fact that his hand was warm. "Rukia?"

She was out of daze before she was back on her senses when she heard her name. "Really, I'm alright. It's been a month now since it happened. My injuries are kinda healing quickly so you don't need to worry."

Byakuya released his soft grasp from her shoulder that made her shiver a bit from the loss of contact. "Okay then, I'll go back to my room. Please call if you need anything." She nodded back and he went out of her room.

She stayed still for a few minutes then went back to snuggle inside her futon to alleviate, at least, all of her emotions overflowing like a river from the depths of her beating heart.

ΘΘΘΘ

Byakuya, on the other hand, was in his room completely immobilized after what just happened. He could've sworn that as he let his hand off her shoulder, he felt her shiver – was that the right word? Moreover, she was not facing him in the slightest. At first, he thought it was because of her usual feeling of embarrassment but lately, he believed that it was more than that. She can't look at him in the eye and she would always do unnecessary actions around him. Was he that kind of person to make her uncomfortable? It didn't happen before, but why now? He was so full of questions that finding answers on his own was not a choice. It was compulsory for him to ask Rukia directly although he had no idea how.

However, he also knew that he was somewhat acting the same why. Maybe Rukia couldn't sense it but he surely can. It was beyond more than his capacity to care for her and watch her every little move. It was deeper and better than ever. For the first time, he questioned himself, "Hisana, do you want this? I can't helped it, I'm sorry." He closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. He was in love with Rukia. It's not because she was just like his late wife but she had shown him a lot of things that made his heart move. Her eyes, her smile, her strong personality and truth be told that she had just saved him from being killed and many more, only she doesn't know it. Every little move she makes always caught his eyes and he appreciates it dearly. She was a unique individual from Hisana indeed. These were the reasons why she became his PRIDE…

ΘΘΘΘ

"Stop! Don't… Don't hurt him!" All over the house, a loud voice was heard. Byakuya suddenly became vigilant from his sleep for he knew that it was Rukia's. He ran as fast as he could to her room. He barged in immediately and stumbled upon her current state. Her body was shaking and her appearance was in the stage of horror because of the drops of sweat forming at the side of her head and that her eyes were close too tightly (She was still in a sleeping position at this time).

Wait – there are droplets in the corner of her eyes. Are those tears?

"Rukia!" he crouched down and held her cheeks that are burning as if she's going to burst somehow; she was dreaming – no, it's a nightmare she's experiencing. "Wake up!"

She had not yet opened her eyes and she continued screaming, "No! Don't kill him, please!"

Byakuya was quite inquisitive on who was she dreaming about (or who's making her have a nightmare) but he strived to wake her up as soon as soon as possible. She might actually die from this bad dream. He won't let it happen. "Rukia, please wake up, you're having a bad dream. Rukia!"

Her eyes opened wide in shock; she looked at him and raised her upper body in a sitting spot. The tears that had just evaporated were returning in some way as she went to a breakdown in his torso trunk that almost alarmed him for it happened so fast.

He remained his composure and asked, "What happened? Everything's fine, so don't cry."

Her head was still resting in him as she sniffed and held her tears back to his eyes and replied, "That Aozu guy was in my dream. He was grinning a lot then he began to chuckle. That's when I saw you captured and you were unconscious. He showed his blade in front of me and slowly pierced it to your chest. I wanted to go near you but it's like I'm stuck and all I can do is scream."

She lifted her head so she could see him face to face. "I don't want you to leave me. I don't want to see you get hut. I can't lose you."

"Rukia…" Byakuya put his hand on her soft black raven hair and stroke it in a careful manner repeatedly. The other hand was place at her back so that he can pull her closer. "I promise, I won't leave you. I'll be right here always at your side."

"Really?" her voice was monotonous but it was a question of assurance.

"Yes, cross my heart. So stop thinking these kinds of thoughts in your dreams, I won't go anywhere."

Rukia released his embrace and smiled at him, "Thank you very much, Byakuya."

Byakuya rejoiced inside to the sound of his first name from her lips and smiled back (something that he never thought that he would do), "Rukia…" was what he could only muster at that moment. He, for the first time, was able to show that rare expression to the person she valued the most.

ΘΘΘΘ

It was a bright sunny day after that, meaning spring is already here. Byakuya was walking around his yard when he saw Rukia standing before the cherry tree. He was supposed to be happy on watching her but to think that the tree hasn't grown since the autumn season; it was the only one that had not yet bloomed.

He called out to her and she turned with a joyous expression on her face, "Byakuya, good morning!"

He replied with a smile (he's trying to get used to it), "Good morning to you too, what are you doing here? You shouldn't be out here; you still have not completely healed."

Rukia raised her eyebrow at him, "Why not? I do need a fresh air and besides, this good old tree needs some attention."

"I see. I'm also wondering why it didn't bloom."

She looked up and said, "It's not only that. Remember the time when you saved me from it's falling branch? I think that you have finally cared for me after all that's happened. And now, I wanted to say my true feelings."

Byakuya stared at him absent-mindedly from the confusion he's getting from her words. "Byakuya, I still consider you as my brother but… I… am falling in love with you…"

His eyes didn't blink for a few seconds and smiled, wider this time. Rukia giggled, "You know, I should get used to that face of yours."

"You should be, 'cause it would always be my response to you forever. I love you too, Rukia…"

They went near each other and hugged tightly. As their lips met in a passionate kiss, finally, a flower grew from a branch of the tree and blossomed in beauty.

A/N: After this, I shall post the last chapter soon; I would like to make it longer so it would be worth everything, not just for my part but for my dear readers as well.

Did you like it? Hope you do… tell me what you think. ^___^