~The Blossom of Lost Desire~
By - ByaRukifan
Timeline:Zanpakutou Filler Arc (Episodes 230-)
Pairing(s): Byakuya/Rukia, Senbonzakura/Sode no Shirayuki
~Chapter Ten~
Byakuya, Rukia , Sode no Shirayuki walked into Unohana's meeting room where Ukitake, Shunsui, Renji, Ichigo, Zabimaru, and Unohana herself all were. Zabimaru was standing against the wall while the others were seated at the table.
"What took you guys so long?" Ichigo asked.
The only reply that was given was an icy glare from Byakuya.
"Welcome back, it's good to see that you're both okay." Ukitake said, smiling.
"Yes, we're glad you're both alright." Unohana said, smiling softly. "If you don't mind, would you both come with me to an examination room a few doors down? Just so I can take care of any injuries that still need to be taken care of."
"Alright." Rukia said, giving a small nod. Byakuya just nodded, letting Unohana know they didn't mind.
–
"Is your right leg alright, Kuchiki-san?" Unohana asked once they were in the examination room.
"I healed it as much as I could manage, but it still needs to be properly looked at." Byakuya answered before Rukia could say anything.
Unohana nodded, "Kuchiki-san, please take a seat on the table there." She said, pointing over to the small examination table.
Rukia obliged and took a seat on the table. Unohana carefully rolled up the leg of Rukia's shihakusho and easily healed whatever looked like was in need of healing.
"Are there any other injuries you or Kuchiki-san have that need to be looked at?" Unohana asked Byakuya as she was finishing with Rukia's leg.
"All of are other injuries were minor and we were able to heal them on the spot. Rukia's leg was all that needed to be looked at." Byakuya replied.
–
In the meeting room, Sode no Shirayuki stood by the door; waiting on Byakuya and Rukia to return. There was nothing but silence in the room since they didn't want to discuss anything until Unohana, Byakuya, and Rukia got back.
After a few more moments Unohana, Rukia, and Byakuya walked in. Unohana sat in her usual spot at the end of the table. Byakuya sat down next to Ukitake and Rukia took a seat in the chair next to Byakuya.
Now that they were seated, Ukitake turned to Byakuya and asked the question that was on everyone's minds.
"If you don't mind telling us, what happened?"
"I was unable to come back earlier because I was too badly injured and I had used most of my strength to get away from Senbonzakura's last attack." Byakuya answered in his usual monotone.
"Where did that guy go anyway and why is she," Snakey pointed to Sode no Shirayuki, "still here?" He interrupted.
"Muramasa and the other zanpakutou are unaware that Senbonzakura has switched sides. He's acting as if he's still with them when really he'll be reporting any useful information or plans that Muramasa may scheme." Byakuya explained.
"That's good. We'll have time to prepare for a fight when the time comes then." Shunsui said, smiling. "But how do we know that Senbonzakura isn't just telling Muramasa our plans to stop him?" He questioned.
"Senbonzakura isn't the type to go back on his word," Sode no Shirayuki said, her expression showing she was telling the truth, "you can all trust him."
Ukitake, Shunsui, and Unohana looked over to Byakuya, who only gave a single nod to assure them that Sode no Shirayuki wasn't lying.
"That's good then." Unohana said, smiling before looking over to Rukia, "And I speak for all of us Kuchiki-san, when I say that we're glad you're alright. When you disappeared like that so suddenly it had us all worried., but it's all behind us now that Kuchiki-taicho and you have returned and are unharmed."
Rukia smiled, "Yes, I'm sorry for worrying everyone like I did. I'm glad to be back though."
Unohana smiled at Rukia before turning to look over to Byakuya, "If you didn't know already, Kuchiki-taicho; I had some of the Fourth Division clean up the debris from the Kuchiki Manor. The only parts that are destroyed are the main entrance and dining room."
"I noticed, thank you for taking the time to clean it up even though you were busy with taking care of the injured." Byakuya said. "Rukia and I will be staying there since the wing where our rooms are located are still in tact. That way the Fourth Division will have more room. We will report back when we're needed."
"That will be fine" Unohana said before turning to Ukitake and Shunsui, "It would probably be best to wait until Senbonzakura reports back before making any serious decisions."
"That will probably best." Ukitake said. Shunsui nodded in agreement.
"Unohana-taicho, do you want or need Ichigo and me to do anything?" Renji asked.
"Just continue with helping our everyone like you've been doing and you'll both be informed if any specific help is needed." Unohana answered.
"Is there anymore questions?" Ukitake asked and waited for anyone to speak up. When nobody did he continued, "Alright then, everyone can go back to their quarters or to what they were doing. We'll call you when needed."
"Come, Rukia." Byakuya said once he had stood up. Rukia nodded and followed him out of the room with Sode no Shirayuki following close behind.
–
Bakuya and Rukia were walking back to the Kuchiki Manor. After a moment Byakuya reached over and gently took Rukia's hand into his own, making Rukia smile.
Rukia turned her head to look behind her at Sode no Shirayuki, "What are the other zanpakutou like?" She asked.
Sode no Shirayuki gave a small smile before replying, "I've never really talked to the others, only Senbonzakura. Not many of the other zanpakutou seemed to get along too well, mainly Tobiume and Haineko. They were always fighting for Hyorinmaru's attention." She explained, "Senbonzakura and I never really talked to the others unless we were spoken to. We really only spoke to each other."
"None of them got along?" Rukia asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, some like Hyorinmaru and Senbonzakura are silent types, keeping to themselves most of the time while some talked frequently but never really getting into conversations." Sode no Shirayuki explained.
"You and Senbonzakura are pretty close aren't you?" Rukia asked, smiling softly.
"Yes," Sode no Shirayuki smiled, "It's hard not to become close after all the years together. Especially since you two were becoming closer and closer as time passed as well."
Rukia smiled and looked up at Byakuya, who was looking down at her with a matching smile. Rukia gripped his hand tighter after feeling him gently squeeze it only seconds before.
–
When they arrived back home Rukia turned to Sode no Shirayuki, "You can stay in my room if you want. It won't be any problem."
"Alright." Sode no Shirayuki said, giving a kind smile.
"We should find something to eat." Byakuya said.
"What are we going to eat?" Rukia asked, looking up at him.
"We'll find something in the kitchen."
–
In the kitchen, Byakuya and Rukia were looking through the cabinets in attempt to find anything that didn't require cooking to eat. Earlier, Sode no Shirayuki had kindly declined a meal, telling them she wasn't hungry before heading to Rukia's room.
Rukia looked through the lower cabinets while Byakuya searched through the higher ones. As Rukia searched an idea came to her. She looked over to Byakuya, "If you find anything that only required heating I can go outside and start a small fire to warm it up." Rukia said. Byakuya was about to say something but Rukia continued, "I used to do that all the time when I was in Inuzuri. I mainly heated up fish that I had caught, and I learned a lot about cooking when I was in the World of the Living too."
Byakuya didn't show it, but as soon as the word 'Inuzuri' had left her mouth a sad feeling washed over him. He had always had food ready for him whenever needed or wanted it during the time he was growing up, but Rukia had had to steal, fight, or do what ever it took just to scrounge up just enough food to make it through the night.
He stopped what he was doing before making his way over to Rukia, who was still seated on the floor in front of the lower cabinets. Rukia looked up at him with a confused expression when Byakuya sat down beside her, but before she could question him he had suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Byakuya?" Rukia questioned after a short moment of silence had passed.
Rukia felt his hold on her tighten first and after a another short moment she felt him lean his head back before resting his forehead against her own.
"I'm sorry for my sudden actions, Rukia." Byakuya said quietly.
"It's alright, but what's wrong?"
Byakuya waited a moment, he didn't know if he should reply or not because he knew this wasn't like him and that he would usually never act like this. Byakuya's thoughts were interrupted when he heard Rukia speak again.
"It's okay, you can tell me. Just like I depend on you, you can depend on me. I'm here for you and I always will be." Rukia told him, looking him in the eyes as she spoke and never breaking eye contact.
Byakuya's eyes widened slightly. He had never even considered or thought about having someone to depend on or be there for him. Hisana had always been to sick and frail and he never wanted to talk to her about his problems when she already had enough on her shoulders to worry about. So he always had just kept any of his feelings or problems bottled up inside of him.
Byakuya then tilted his head and softly kissed Rukia on the lips, which she responded to by kissing him back. When he pulled away he rested his head on her shoulder. Rukia could feel his breath on her neck when Byakuya started speaking.
"It just bothers me when you speak of your days in Rukongai. I know it's in the distant past and I know I can't do anything to change it, but just hearing what it took for you to just survive out there...and what could have happened if you had continued to live in such a dangerous district just either saddens me or scares the living hell out of me. Even though I never express those feelings, Rukia; it doesn't mean I don't feel them every time I think about it."
Rukia's eyes had widened when he was explaining what was bothering him, 'I never knew he felt so deeply about that...' She thought before lifting her arms out of his hold to wrap them around his neck to return his embrace and hopefully comfort him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know it effected you that much. I promise to try to stop mentioning it." Rukia said softly.
She felt Byakuya give a single nod against her neck before loosening his hold to lean back and look at her.
Byakuya gave her a small smile before speaking, "We should get back to searching for some food."
"Okay." Rukia said with a smile, after giving a small laugh.
–
"We can eat this." Rukia said, showing Byakuya two bowls of cold soup she had just poured.
"But-" Byakuya tried to speak, but Rukia continued.
"It's okay to eat when it's cold. I already have before a long time ago. I had gotten a little hungry one night and decided to go get a snack. So I came in here and found this kind of soup and it tasted fine." Rukia explained.
"Alright..." Byakuya said, giving up after a short moment; realizing it was probably all they would find anyway.
–
Byakuya smirked as he remembered how Rukia had gotten him to eat the bowl of cold soup he now held in his hands. Rukia and him were in his room seated on the floor at the foot of the bed.
"What are you smiling about?" Rukia asked after looking over to him and noticing his smirk.
Byakuya looked down at Rukia, who was seated closely beside him, "I just can't you talked me into eating cold soup."
Rukia just laughed before setting her empty bowl on the floor beside her before she leaned over against Byakuya and rested her head on his shoulder, a smile still gracing her expression.
Byakuya's smile softened when he felt Rukia against him. He leaned over to place his empty bowl on top of hers before picking them up and using shun po to go put them away. He was back at Rukia's side in the blink of an eye.
Rukia felt him place something in her lap. When she looked down she discovered a white sleeping robe. She looked up at him when he started to speak.
"You can change in the bathroom and then we'll go to bed." He told her, smiling softly.
Rukia nodded before standing up and taking the robe with her to change. After the door had clicked shut Byakuya quickly changed into his own sleeping attire, which was simply some soft, black sleeping pants, before walking over to stand next to the bathroom door; waiting on Rukia to come out.
Once Rukia emerged from the bathroom, dressed in her white sleeping robe Byakuya had given her, she gasped when felt herself being lifted off the ground. Byakuya had picked her up into his arms, bridal style, and Rukia blushed when she felt herself press against Byakuya's bare chest. She looked up at him when he started walking towards bed. He had carefully shut the door to the bathroom with his foot and was now on his way towards the bed.
Byakuya overturned the covers before gently placing Rukia on the right side. He then walked over to the other side of the bed and laid down next to her, pulling her closely to him. Rukia snuggled up to him as much as she could, making Byakuya smile, after Byakuya had pulled her beside him. She rested her head comfortably on his chest before closing her eyes.
Byakuya rested his head gently on top of Rukia's and shut his eyes before making his embrace around her more secure. "Goodnight and sleep well, Rukia." Byakuya whispered softly and smiled when he heard Rukia echo his words back. He waited until he knew for a fact that Rukia was asleep before he quietly whispered to her sleeping form.
"I love you, Rukia."
–
Senbonzakura, now wearing a new mask, walked down the corridors of Muramasa's hideout. On his way to the lower, cave-like portion of the area. When he entered the cavern he was greeted by Ruriiro Kujaku and Houzimaru. Suzumebachi was just flying around, not minding Senbonzakura's entrance, Kazeshini was just relaxing as he leaned against the caves wall while Wabisuke stood a few feet away, minding his own business.
Senbonzakura ignored Ruriiro Kujaku and Houzukimaru's greeting, taking note that there were only a few zanpakutou present. Hyourinmaru, Tobiume, Haineko, and Gegetsuburi were gone. He silently guessed that they had either been captured or were just out fooling around. He noted Muramasa was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Muramasa?" He asked in his usual tone.
"He's still out." Kazeshini said with a laugh.
Senbonzakura nodded and was about to head out to the balcony that he was usually on, but Muramasa then entered the cave, he looked unwell but didn't express it. His eyes shifted as he observed his surroundings.
"You're all the only ones here." Muramasa noted before sighing, "We need to quicken the pace of our take over. In a days time we will strike an attack on the shinigami. Katen Kyokotsu, Sogyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki are still holding the Yamamoto and Ryujin Jakka captive."
"Should we prepare for the attack since some of the shinigami have regained their zanpakutou?" Ruriiro Kujaku asked.
"It would be wise to do so, but don't wear yourselves out." Muramasa replied. "Remember, we will attack in a days time."
To be continued...
Sorry I'm a little late with this one. At least I got it out this weekend though! That's better than having to wait another week for it. Hopefully this chapter didn't suck too badly. I'm not sure how I feel about how it turned out. I actually typed most of it up a few hours ago up until now. So my brain's kinda jumbled, lol.
Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter though. Btw, hint. Hint. The rating will be changing very soon.
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