~Lay Me Under the Frozen Moon~

By - ByaRukifan

Timeline: After Aizen's defeat

Pairing(s): Byakuya/Rukia

~Chapter Thirteen~

Now back at the campsite, Rukia sat on their stone bed dressed in the top part of one of Byakuya's spare shihakusho's. The top was long enough to reach down to mid-thigh, much like the length that Nemu Kurotsuchi's shihakusho was. The sleeves were long on her though and the fabric covering her shoulders often slipped down and exposed her shoulders, causing her to occasionally cover them again. She had had to remove the bandages on her person since they had been soaked back at the lake. She didn't bother putting her sandals or socks back on at the time being seeing as how they weren't really going to be going anywhere for the rest of the day.

Byakuya had gone to catch some fish for them to eat while she changed and Rukia now awaited his return. She looked up towards the sky before turning her gaze to the small fire Byakuya had made before he left and gave a small smile, she was happy that today had been a good day; she enjoyed that she and Byakuya were able to spend so much time together on this mission. Just when Rukia was about to go check to see if she could sense Byakuya to see if he was on his way back she saw him come in.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Rukia, unable to stop his eyes from wondering to her smooth, bare legs. Rukia smiled at him, happy to see him back safely; which then Byakuya broke out of his little trance and smiled back at her before walking over to the fire so he could start cleaning out the fish.

"Want any help?" Rukia asked.

Byakuya looked at her and smiled, "It's fine. You cooked the last time so its the least I can do."

Rukia nodded, "Okay." She replied before bringing her knees to her chest and crossing her legs. Byakuya was actually having a hard time to not look. He needed to focus on the cooking.

After a bit, Byakuya finished cooking. He made sure that it had been cooked just right before handing one of the fish, that he had placed conveniently on a stick, to Rukia and moved to sit next to her.

"It's really good." Rukia complemented with a smile after taking a few bites.

"I'm glad, I was worried you wouldn't like it."

Rukia smiled again before resting her head on Byakuya's shoulder. Byakuya looked up at the afternoon sky before shifting his gaze to Rukia and smiled.

"A little tired?"

Rukia gave a small laugh before nodding against him.

Byakuya waited a few moments after they had finished eating before looking down at Rukia again.

"Let me see your arm." He told her in a calm tone.

Rukia looked up at him in question before nodding, "Okay."

Byakuya then proceeded to roll up her sleeve before placing his hand over the wound and preformed a healing spell to finally fully heal that injury. He still wasn't at his full strength yet and couldn't fully heal any other injuries she had but he made sure that they weren't as bad as they were.

Once he had done all that he could Rukia smiled, "Thanks."

Byakuya lent down and rested his forehead against her own, "It wasn't a problem."

Rukia felt the fabric covering her shoulder slip once more but before she could get to it Byakuya stopped her by taking her hand. He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder before pulling the fabric back up himself. He smiled softly at her when he noticed a small smile of her own appear. It wasn't a moment later when Byakuya moved to sit on the ground in front of her before he took her left foot gently in his hand and lightly kissed above her ankle, making her smile grow. Rukia couldn't stop herself from shivering in delight when she felt him begin to massage her feet, especially when he hit certain spots.

"After this we can view the stars." Byakuya said in the same calm tone he had been using.

Rukia gave a nod, "I would like that."

–

Many miles away from Byakuya and Rukia's camp sight, in a dark, wooded area surrounded by dead, leafless trees sat Tatsuo. He wore an expression of what looked to be sadness as he stared down at the wedding band in his hand. This one was smaller than the one he was wearing himself.

"Haruki..." Tatsuo mumbled as he stared at the ring.

–

"You're really improving Tatsuo. If I may say you're getting better by the day."Ukitake said with a small laugh as he blocked his third seat's attack. "Every time we spar you've always improved in one way."

Tatsuo laughed, "You're too kind, Ukitake-taicho."

"I'm really glad this is one of my healthier days, It's always refreshing to spar with you Tatsuo. You'll rise in the ranks if you get any stronger."

Tatsuo blocked Ukitake's blade, "Please, I'm still far from reaching a promotion."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, I usually don't tell squad members when they improve but you're doing really well for yourself."

After exchanging a few more blows Ukitake sheathed his sword. "Good job, that's enough for the day."

Tatsuo gave a nod before he and Ukitake sat down on the wooden porch outside of the Division.

"Though, I won't take it back because you really are showing promise." Ukitake said, looking up at the sky.

"Thank you, Ukitake-taicho."

Ukitake smiled before looking at Tatsuo, "So how's your wife doing?"

"She's doing just fine," Tatsuo said with a soft smile as he thought of his wife, "the baby should be here any day now."

"That's great news." Ukitake replied happily. "I wish you both happiness."

Tatsuo grinned, "Thanks." He then stood up. "I should get back to her now, she's expecting me to be back soon."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

Tatsuo gave a nod, "I'll see you then."

–

Tatsuo was a member of one of the lesser noble families, they weren't as famous as the four great noble houses but he didn't mind, he just wanted to give his wife and him a good life and he wanted to do the same for their child. He appeared at the door of his home and went inside.

"Haruki, I'm home!" He called.

"I'm in the bedroom!" A feminine voice called back.

Tatsuo smiled before he began towards the bedroom.

He entered the room to see his wife, Haruki, sitting next to the window, reading a book. She had dark blond hair and eyes that were a beautiful shade of green. She wore a pink kimono with a pattern of birds on it. Tatsuo smiled and approached her, squatting down next to her to rest his chin on her knee.

"Welcome home." She greeted, giving him a smile as well.

"I'm glad to be home." He replied before placing his hand on her rounded stomach. He then stood slightly to kiss her.

"Ukitake-taicho complemented me on my skills again."

"That's wonderful." Haruki said happily.

"I don't want to jinx it but I think I may be promoted soon." He informed her.

"That's wonderful news!" She exclaimed happily.

"How have you been feeling lately?"

"I feel fine. Though I can't wait to have this baby out of me." She replied with a laugh.

Tatsuo laughed too before leaning in to kiss her again.

–

Tatsuo moved himself to sit back against one of the dead trees and leaned his head down to the ring in his hands. His frown deepening as he shut his eyes.

"Haruki...." He muttered one last time. "....Eri."

–

"Otou-san's home!" A little girl exclaimed as Tatsuo walked through the entrance of their estate.

Tatsuo looked at his daughter, Eri, as she ran towards him, she resembled her mother greatly. She had the dark blond hair and same face. Her eyes though, were the same as Tatsuo's. When she reached him he leaned down for her to hug him.

"I missed you lots." Eri said as Tatsuo lifted her into his arms.

"I missed you too." He replied with a smile before kissing her on the forehead. "Where's your Okaa-san?"

Eri pointed towards their home, "She's inside." She said before Tatsuo smiled and began walking inside, Eri still in his arms.

He found his wife sitting in the family room with one of her books in hand. He put Eri back on the ground, but she didn't leave; instead she just crawled up into one of the chairs in the room and watched her parents. Tatsuo wrapped his arms around Haruki when she stood and kissed her softly.

"How has your day been?" She asked with a soft smile.

Tatsuo smiled back, "Even though I've been the Fukutaicho for over three years now it's still a little tough. We got some new members today, both new recruits and transfers. One in particular, Kaien Shiba, is probably the best out of the bunch."

"That's great. It's good your new division members are working hard."

Tatsuo gave a nod, "It is."

"Otou-san can we go outside and play?" Eri asked with a smile.

Tatsuo gave a chuckle and looked at Eri, "I don't see why not."

"Yay!" She exclaimed before climbing down from the chair. "I'll race you there!" She said before running out of the room.

Tatsuo couldn't help but grin.

Haruki smiled, "Our little Eri is growing up so fast."

Tatsuo nodded, "Indeed she is."

Haruki then playfully slapped her husband on the chest, "You should get out there before she comes back looking for you." Tatsuo laughed lightly at that before kissing her once more.

He looked back at her before walking out of the room to meet Eri outside.

–

Eri laughed as she and her father played 'Catch the Hollow' which was very much equivalent to tag.

"You're the hollow, Otou-san!" Eri exclaimed happily.

Tatsuo laughed, "Then you better watch out because when this hollow catches his prey he..." He then quickly moved and caught Eri in his arms and she squealed happily, "...tickles them!" He then proceeded to do just that. Eri laughed before jumping up and hugging her father.

"I love you, Otou-san! You're the best Otou-san in the world!"

–

Tatsuo looked up at the darkened sky as he felt the rain pouring down on him. He had been so lost in though he hadn't realized it had began to storm. He held his sad expression as the thunder chimed. He stood slowly, not caring that he was getting soaked as he slowly made his way to some shelter.

–

Byakuya and Rukia sat backed up against the overlapped wall of the mountain to avoid the pouring rain. The thunder boomed occasionally which Byakuya wished would stop and he knew Rukia felt the same way. Rukia sat in between his legs and had her face hidden in Byakuya's robesand her arms wrapped securely around his torso as he held her close. He remembered her fear of thunder and he was trying to do everything he could to comfort her. He held her close, stroked her hair and soothed her with his words.

He pulled the blanket over Rukia some more as he attempted to keep her as calm as possible. He could tell she was trying to stay calm as well and she was trying as hard as she could but it wasn't helping her that much though. He kissed the top of her head before tightening his hold on her. He hated seeing her like this, he felt helpless because he was unable to keep her from being scared. He was at least thankful though that he was able to ease some of fright.

"Everything will be alright." He told her soothingly.

"I'm sorry for acting like this..." She said, her words muffled by Byakuya's shihakusho.

"It's okay, you can't help it." He replied in the same soothing tone as he stroked her hair and showered her in soft kisses. His other hand rubbed the bare part of her thigh soothingly before repeating his words,

"It's going to be alright."

To be continued...

Let's just crack right down to it:

EXCUSES -

NUMBER ONE – Final Exams

NUMBER TWO – End of school work

NUMBER THREE – Being sick SUCKS D:

NUMBER FOUR – Before I was sick I had a friend over.

NUMBER FIVE – I'm not going to lie....I was also re-watching the ENTIRE Yu-Gi-Oh! Series (Not GX and 5D's though Dx) and then re-read the manga.....AT LEAST I'M BEING HONEST. xD

And that's it....I seriously felt REALLY bad for not updating. I wanted to but those stupid exams kept me working (mainly the math) and I wasn't able to get anything (anything that wasn't school related) done. Thank goodness school is OVER for me now until August. I've been stressing over getting this up ever since I missed the first week...and I still feel bad that it took me so long just to get it up today.

I really really REALLY hope you guys can forgive me and I really hope this chapter was to your liking. I wanted to put Tatsuo in the thirteenth division for some reason. I'm unsure as of why. He joined before Kaien was a member and I kept it blank if Kaien was new or a transfer because I remember in the 3rd Phantom DS game they put Kaien in the fifth division first so I didn't want to go against the game even though some may not agree with it's storyline. So I'll leave it to you to say whether he's new or a transfer. Let your imaginations SOAR....Okay that was cheesy.....

Btw, here are the meanings of Eri and Haruki's names:

Haruki (春樹) (meaning: Springtime Tree)

Eri(絵理)(meaning: blessed prize)

Okay, like I promised here's the PREVIEW for Chapter fourteen.

Rukia buried her face into his shoulder. "Just thinking about that moment scares me...I don't like talking about it..." She didn't, but she knew Byakuya was just worried about her and only concerned so that was why she had decided to tell him.

She gave a small, nervous laugh, "That's another thing I've never told anyone." She said, clutching his shihakusho tighter.

Byakuya kissed the top of her head, "I'm glad you're sharing these private memories with me. It shows that you have a lot of trust in me." He said with a smile. "Having fears are alright, everyone has some kind of fear. It's perfectly normal, Rukia."

"Then...what's your fear?" She asked, looking up at him.

END PREVIEW

I hope you guys enjoyed the little preview and the chapter in general.

Please, READ and REVIEW.

Just remember, NO FLAMING!