A/N I don't own Bleach nor do I make any profit from it.

Chapter 11 – Spare of the Moment

Three days later, I returned to the Kuchiki mansion. Although I felt better, my body felt tired and somewhat weak. I had further lost the use of my legs after going back to bed after our game of 'tag'.

Lord Byakuya had to carry me home, let's just put it that way. I had stayed in my white yukata and pink haori as my proper kimono was still a little heavy for me at that moment. I saw Rukia's face when she greeted us.

If this was an anime, she would have sparkled.

"He's carrying her like a princess," Rukia exclaimed. I blushed slightly as I had my head resting on his chest, slowly drifting off. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lady Sumi standing beside Rukia. I grimaced as I saw her smug expression. I could tell that she was jealous though, immensely jealous.

"Lady Sara," Rukia greeted, "I was so worried about you!"

She held up a large piece of paper for me to take hold of. I took it from her with a small smile and glanced at it before having to look at it again. It was one of Rukia's drawings. It was a drawing of me, Rukia and Lord Byakuya….as little white rabbits….or Chappys…whatever you want to call them. It was a picture of me in bed with a bandage around my head and a thermometer in my mouth, Rukia was sitting on the bed and Lord Byakuya was standing beside us.

"Thank you, Rukia," I said kindly, "I'll treasure this."

Rukia smiled up at me with happy abandon. Lord Byakuya turned to Lady Sumi, "Thank you for looking after Rukia and my household for me, Lady Sumi," Lord Byakuya said.

"It was my pleasure, Lord Byakuya," She said smugly. I had to stop myself from glaring at her.

"Your family will be coming over soon, no," Lord Byakuya asked. She nodded.

"Yes," she said serenely. I chose not to look at Lady Sumi, knowing that I'd throw up just looking at her face. I pretended to fall asleep, letting my limbs go slack. I heard footsteps coming towards us and heard a kissing sound.

The colour drained from my already pale face. Lady Sumi had kissed Lord Byakuya…That smug bitch! I couldn't stand it. I was relieved when Lord Byakuya started walking again.

I was carried to my room and he laid me on my futon. I heard Rukia's scampering footsteps come into my room, "Be sure to make sure Lady Sara has her rest, Rukia."

"Yes, brother," Rukia said politely. She knelt beside my futon and grasped my hand. I squeezed back softly.

"Hello, Rukia," I said, "How have you been?"

She smiled as I turned my body to face her, "Fine, but I have missed you."

"Really? I missed you too," I said softly. Rukia laid herself beside my futon, gazing at me for a moment, "What is it, Rukia? Are you well?"

"Yes, I'm well," Rukia smiled, "I just missed you."

I felt my heart swell with pride, "Oh, I missed you too, Rukia," I sat up and so did Rukia. I gently stroked her cheek, clearing the stubborn bang from her pretty little face.

"Lady Sara," She whispered as she threw herself into my arms, "I'm lonely when you're not here. Brother doesn't talk to me and you're the closest thing I have to a friend."

"Rukia," a low voice said and be both jumped. It was Lord Byakuya, "Go back to your room."

"But I want to stay with Lady Sara."

"Go…now…"

Rukia looked up at me and I nodded, "Do as he says, Rukia," I said stroking her reassuringly. She reluctantly nodded and walked out, leaving us alone.

"Thank you for backing me up," Lord Byakuya said, as he turned towards me. I nodded.

"I am here to uphold and reinforce your rules, not to go against them…no matter how much I like Rukia."

He nodded, "Well put."

"Although, I think you should treat her better," I said, "She worships and relies on you."

He glared at me silently for a moment, "You have no right to tell me what to do." His seemed as though his old personality came out in that statement. I had been told that he had been a spoilt, impulsive little brat when he was a teen.

"What," I challenged and I shakily stood up, "I don't have the right to challenge you? Don't you like it, Byakuya," I didn't call him "lord", "What sort of monster neglects his own sister and makes her fear him?"

I walked up to him, not taking my eyes off his angry expression, "That's not how it's supposed to be."

"If you do not refrain from saying these things-"

"What? You'll punish me," I challenged, "Go on, do it! I dare you. Punish me for caring about Rukia and her emotional wellbeing…punish me for what you've employed me to do. That girl is crying out for her brother's love. I know, technically, you're not her brother but you're her brother-in-law, but you adopted her as your sister at your dead wife's request. You have a duty to both Hisana-"

"Don't you dare speak her name!"

I raised my eyebrows, "Ah, so you haven't gotten over your wife…I have been told that you told Rukia that she was adopted because she looks like your dead wife…I know this to be a lie…but is it because she resembles Hisana that you cannot entirely look at Rukia? Is it that why you treat her coldly? I understand that it's hard, but it's no excuse."

A ringing silence was all that remained. Byakuya wouldn't meet my piercing gaze, "Is that why you're so emotionless? The loss of your wife, I mean; because I have a feeling that you weren't like this before her death…No…I've been told that you were quite expressive."

I realised that I hadn't paused for breath and I was panting due to the lack air in my lungs. Not another sound was made except for my laboured breathing. I gazed at him and his pale face. He wouldn't meet my gaze and I knew that I had gone too far.

But before I could blink, Byakuya had flash stepped in my direction and forced me forcefully against the wall. I cried out in shock as my back made contact with the wall. His firm body was pressed against mine, my wrists were pinned to the wall and I felt a strange sensation…on my lips…It was then that I realised…

He was kissing me….

EH…?

But it was short lived and it had gone as quickly as it came.

He broke away from me with a haunted look in his grey eyes. I clasped a hand over my mouth and I gazed at him, my eyes wide. Neither of us dared to move.

"I'm…so…sorry…" Lord Byakuya stuttered before flash stepping away, quicker than usual. I, meanwhile, didn't move a muscle. Eventually, I dropped my knees, shaking with shock. Tsukasa, who had been passing, rushed into the room, but I hadn't noticed at the time.

"My Lady, what's wrong," I heard her ask. Tears were threatening to fall and eventually, they did. I sobbed into Tsukasa's yukata, "Are you still unwell? Tell me, My Lady!"

I refused to answer, partly because the ability to speak had left me.

3rd Person

Byakuya paced his office, clearly distraught and beside himself.

"She drove me to it…" he'd say to himself, "She drove me to it…"

"Who drove you to what?"

Sumi's voice made it's way to his ears. He turned around quickly, "Lady Sumi," he tried to regain his composure and wiped the sweat from his brow, "What is it?"

"I was just passing and noticed that you looked troubled," she walked up to him and cleared some of his silky bangs from his face, "Is there anything that I can do?"

Byakuya stared at her, wide eyed. He shook his head and waved her hand away, "No, there is nothing…please leave me."

Sumi narrowed her eyes, "As you wish…My Lord…"

She bowed and walked from the room. Sliding the door shut, she sighed resentfully. She had a hunch that it was Sara who had made him behave like that, making him act as if he'd seen a ghost. Why was it Sara who had the biggest effect on him? Why her? What was so damn special about her?

Whatever it was, she'd make Sara fade into the background and she would be the one to plague his mind.

Sara's POV

I stayed in bed for a few more days after that and I refused to eat; not just because I was ill…no no, I was shell-shocked from a certain event that took place a few days prior. I refused to see anyone either, surprisingly, only letting Tsukasa come in. I was informed that Rukia was distraught that I refused to see her. But I needed space and facing Rukia, let alone Lord Byakuya, would make me feel even worse. During my time off, I would sit for countless hours on the patio outside of my room, staring out at the beautiful, vast garden with in the Kuchiki estate.

Later one evening, I had been informed that the Shihoin family were coming over to have party here at the Kuchiki estate. I was less than thrilled to hear about that. Well, at least the fun loving head of the family, Yoruichi Shihoin, was going to be there.

I was going to refuse to attend, but I had to look after Rukia during the duration of the event. I'd stay firmly away from the alcohol…that's for sure. I was walking on thin ice with my relationship with Lord Byakuya. I constantly touched my lips with the tips of my fingers. Although it had been short lived, the kiss had been…rather pleasant…in a twisted sort of way. From the kiss, from Lord Byakuya to be exact, I had felt a restrained, frustrated longing. I felt almost sorry for him. But did I go too far when I practically told him he was a heartless, emotionally constipated bastard?

Nah, I didn't go far enough…

….Or perhaps…just a little….

Anyway, on the day of the event, I was told to wear a plain kimono (no prizes for who can guess ordered that). I wore an understated baby blue kimono with a light pink obi sash around waist. Around my shoulders was a white haori with a light pink cherry blossom pattern design. My hair was in a bun which was held in place by a decorative chopstick that had a cherry blossom ornament hanging from it by a short, light pink cord. I also had a light blue fan to keep myself cool during the hot day and a parasol just in case.

When I saw Rukia for the first time in days, she kept very close to me. She wore an elaborate kimono. It was adorned with many different coloured cherry blossoms and embroidered with gold thread. Around her waist was a deep purple obi. Lady Sumi wore a deep red kimono with a red autumn leaf pattern and around her waist was an orange obi.

We had all gathered in the large reception room. The Shihoin family were chatting amongst themselves. Some of them cast smug glances or disdainful glances in my direction from behind their fans. The only friendly face I saw was Yoruichi. I was kneeling on a cushion at the back of the room with my head bowed and hands resting delicately on my lap, clutching my fan. Rukia knelt beside me, keeping silent. Nobody bothered with her, even though she was the princess of the Kuchiki family.

Lord Byakuya sat at the other end of the room, engaged in conversation with that smug cow, Lady Sumi. I heard the Shihoin family members slagging me off.

"Oh my, is she the governess?"

"I feel faint at the word 'governess'."

"She certain is a scrawny little thing…"

"She may have beauty but she doesn't look very intelligent…"

I felt tears brimming and I clenched the fabric of my kimono. I tried not to sniff and show that I was about to cry, but it was all too much. I slowly stood up and Rukia looked up at me. I hid my face by quickly opening my fan in front of my face. I couldn't look at Rukia as I walked from the room. Who was I kidding? There was no way I could measure up to those women, especially Lady Sumi.

As I walked, I felt someone grasp my arm. I quickly turned around to see Lord Byakuya standing there. I further hid my face with my fan, "Yes, my Lord?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm afraid that I still don't feel well."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

Lord Byakuya looked frustrated, "Look, I need you back in there."

"Why? To humiliate me? You must have heard what they were saying about me!"

"Ignore it…besides…I want you to play the shamisen for everyone. I know how talented you are."

"Flattery won't work."

"I do not flatter, Lady Sara," Lord Byakuya said in a deadpan tone.

I sighed, "Fine, but then I'm going straight back to my room."

"All right, but you must promise to be in that room every night with me while the Shihoins are here."

"Why?"

"To look after Rukia of cause. That's what you're paid to do after all."

Jerk

Using my job as an excuse…

I rolled my eyes before wiping my tears away with my kimono sleeve, "Fine."

"Very good, my Lady, now…" Lord Byakuya said, "Come."

I nodded, almost robotically. I allowed myself to be led back, secretly hoping I wasn't making a mistake.

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