A New Love

Byakuya sat on his porch overlooking his front garden. He was adamant on recovering from the day he just had. So he opted to take refuge in his own little haven. Filled with nothing but, his beloved Sakura trees, his back garden was his personal sanctuary. So he sat there, and for once he allowed himself some leeway, as he opted out of his normal stiff posture and into a more relaxed one. The noble draped his legs over the side of the porch, his feet almost touched the ground and he could feel the cold grass against his toes. Byakuya closed his eyes, leaning his head backwards and breathing in the comforting scent of Sakura petals. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and proceeded to regard the petals as they drifted away in the wind.

If he wasn't as well bred as he was, the noble would have sighed, as he felt almost every bone in his body relax. This was a rough day even for someone like him. So, for now, he was just glad to sit here in his sleeping Hakama and let his unbound hair flutter lazily in the gentle breathe.

In a few seconds, Byakuya's sharp hearing picked up on some footsteps. The owner of said footsteps was coming straight towards him. Byakuya considered, adjusting his position, and taking on his formal noble pose, but for once he was too exhausted to do so. Not to mention that; he recognized those footsteps. And for some reason, unbeknownst to himself, he didn't mind being a little less formal with the owner of said footsteps.

Itachi stepped onto the porch, and stood there for a second. He was sure that; Byakuya knew he was there, but he couldn't help but stare at the man; for something about him drew his attention. He couldn't see his entire face, but the part he could see was perfectly immersed in moon light, giving him the air of an angel. The man's hair was free for once and it was fluttering freely around him. Something about him was different though, Itachi thought. The way he was leaning backwards, the way his head was tilted a little upwards, *He just seems so relaxed.* Itachi remarked. And for a few minutes he just stood there looking at the man. He then berated himself for his bizarre actions, forcing his unwilling eyes to look away from the noble and at the trees, as he made his way over and sat next to him.

Byakuya didn't look up. It just seemed natural for Itachi to be there. As every day for the last week, they have done just that. One of them would go out and sit on the porch, and the other would silently follow. It seemed as if it were some sort of an unspoken agreement between them. So they'd just sit there in silence. And even though this was Byakuya's personal haven for years, he found himself surprisingly willing to share it. He also came to enjoy the companionable silence they shared every night.

But today Itachi had questions, since the hectic events of the day edged him to inquire.

"You seemed upset today." Itachi remarked. "I didn't see you that way before."

Byakuya didn't answer, yet he looked at the Uchiha for a second before looking away.

Itachi pushed on in a serene voice. "Why was that?"

Byakuya raised an eyebrow, edging the Uchiha to elaborate.

"Why were you that upset with those rumors?"

After a moment of silence Byakuya replied.

"I'm a noble; I can't have rumors like that spreading about me." He paused looking at his guest. "I don't expect you to understand the demands of noble families, but…." He trailed off as a smile touched the Uchiha's lips.

Byakuya looked at him questionably.

"I'm sorry. I just remembered something that I have blocked out a very long ago."

Byakuya's eyes bored into his, edging him to continue.

"It's just that; a long time ago; I too was a part of a noble family. A noble clan, that is." Itachi said solemnly. His voice was as composed as ever but his eyes were sad.

*So sad.* Byakuya remarked, as he was reminded of the way Itachi looked that day, when his younger brother was calling his name. *Why is he that sad?" Byakuya inquired as he felt a wave of emotion run through him, for the very first time, in a very long time. He struggled to identify the culprit emotion that has so defiantly broken through his firmly erected stoic shield. It was sadness as well. He wanted to comfort the man in front of him. Byakuya chastised himself, for those thoughts.

"So, you are familiar with the ways of nobility?" The noble inquired.

Itachi didn't answer for a long moment; he looked so deep in thought. However, after a while, he looked at Byakuya and spoke in the same sorrow laced voice as before.

"Yes, I think I am." He replied simply, trying to sound as impassive as ever, but failing miserably at it. Itachi then struggled to change the subject, "So, your family desn't want you to go for guys huh?" he questioned, hoping that Byakuya would pick up on his cue and let the conversation run in the other direction.

The raven haired Kuchiki did.

"I suppose it would be frowned upon." Byakuya thought for a second. "They always find my choices questionable."

"Yes, I heard." Itachi said simply.

Byakuya raised an eyebrow.

"During the evening I spent with the Shinigami women's association, they discussed that. They said you had a wife and that you defied your family to marry her. I believe they called you 'Romantic' for it."

Byakuya looked thoughtful.

"I see."

"You must have loved her dearly." Itachi stated.

"I did."

"What happened to make you two split?"

"We didn't." Byakuya posed fixing Itachi under his gaze. His normally ice cold gaze was now starting to melt in front of the Uchiha's eyes. Said Uchiha was dumb-folded by the intensity of the noble's meaningful look. "She passed away."

"I'm sorry." Itachi said earnestly.

"Don't be. It was a very long time ago."

"You don't seem to be over the past."

Byakuya paused for a second.

"It's hard to forget."

"You shouldn't try to. The past will always be a part of our present." Itachi said meaningfully.

Byakuya paused for a second. And Itachi could tell that he was deep in thought. The expression on his face was no longer relaxed.

"Byakuya." He said simply, opting to drop all the formalities, in favor of making sure his companion was Ok.

Byakuya turned to the man sitting next to him. Somehow, the way he just said his name, made him feel like he has just come to life. He wanted him to call him again, to say it again.

"Are you Ok?" The Uchiha inquired; concern evident in his voice.

"I'm fine." Byakuya stated. "It's just that; I have never talked about this to anyone before."

"You never talked about her death to anyone?"

"No."

"That's a very heavy burden to shoulder, by yourself."

"But I must."

Itachi looked at Byakuya meaningfully. His eyes were full of emotion, Byakuya couldn't even begin to explain, how they looked. For a second, the Uchiha looked bewildered. Then his expression turned to that of determination and then he spoke.

"I don't think you should carry it by yourself anymore." Itachi whispered, eyes not leaving Byakuya's for a second. Byakuya didn't look away, he didn't want to. He found comfort in those Onyx orbs. And so did Itachi, he just wanted to stare into Byakuya's eyes forever, in hopes of comforting him.

However, both men caught themselves in time and they started to tear their eyes away from each other's. Itachi got to his feet.

"Good night, Byakuya." He said softly and Byakuya's heart raced.

*Maybe I don't have to be alone.* he thought.

"Not anymore."

Ah, man, I love these two. They are too similar, too sad. I didn't wanna go into Itachi's story just yet. But Byakuya will soon learn about it. It just saddens me how tragic the Uchiha's life has been : (

But now he's gonna have a strong lover to comfort him ;)

Please tell me what you think of this chapter. It's the first romantic chapter I write for this story, and I need to know if it's ok, cuz I'll be making it more and more romantic as we proceed. So please Review.