Happy New Year everyone!!! And... *drumrolls* here it is, my New Year present... Chapter 14!!!! The beginning of the BIGGIES!! Lol, I better not say that or you might find it falling short of your expectations! :D
This is now the longest chapter to date of all my fics!! Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters, or any artist or song lyrics.
Warning: Mentions of IchiRuki, one-sided IchiHime, IshiHime and of course ByaRuki (this really shouldn't be a warning, this is a ByaRuki fic, after all...lol)
Byakuya straightened his necktie as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His tie was light blue this time, worn over his pressed white shirt. A sky blue vest was fitted over this shirt and followed the lines of his waist, held together with dark buttons at his front.
He picked up his formal black coat and eased himself into it. Rukia was not in the room. Isshin had emptied Yuzu and Karin's bedroom for Rukia's 'grown-up girl' use for the evening, as the doctor had put it, and ushered her into it to get ready.
This dance formal…
He had been chosen as one of the chaperons for the event. He wasn't really complaining, he had heard a lot about things students do at these events, drinking and drugs and... scandalous activites. At least in this way, he could watch out for Rukia.
But that was the problem.
He had to look out for Rukia, which meant looking at her.
Byakuya sighed. It was going to be alright, nothing would go wrong. He would go to the dance, play the secretly protective big brother role and whisk her home safe the minute the last song ended.
He was Kuchiki Byakuya. Nothing would go wrong. And absolutely nothing could sway him.
Byakuya walked over to the girls' bedroom and knocked on the door. He heard shuffling inside and the door opened. Rukia gasped when she saw him, her eyes wide.
Byakuya stood there, waiting for her to address him formally, as was the tradition before any Kuchiki family member went out for a ceremony. She opened her mouth spontaneously but he did not get that routine greeting.
In fact, he got something he had never heard upfront in his entire life.
"Nii-sama… you… you look very handsome!"
His grey eyes widened and he felt that familiar wave of heat wash over his face, though undetectable from his pale cheeks. On the other hand, Rukia stuttered as she blushed furiously. "Err… no! What I-I mean was-
"Did you dislike the dress you got for tonight's occasion, Rukia?"
"Ah?" She looked up at him.
Byakuya motioned slightly at her get-up. She was clutching a cream-coloured coverup so tightly around herself he could not see what she was wearing underneath, not even the colour of her dress. She looked like one of those cocoons silkworms weaved around themselves.
Rukia looked up at Byakuya in surprise, before nervously lowering her eyes once more.
"Ohh… I… Orihime wants to come over to help me with my… appearance before the ball. We would be going there together. Nii-sama, you can certainly set off first."
Byakuya gave her a piercing stare. "Where is Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"Ohh… he already left for the dance. He had to help Ishida with a couple of stuff."
Byakuya nodded. He would want to wait, just to make sure she got there safe. It was a close walk to school but he did not want to risk it. But he could… just this once… after all, Orihime Inoue would be with her. And it would be better if he stayed away from her for a while.
"Do not leave the house too late."
"H-Hai."
Byakuya walked down the stairs and out the main door.
Rukia heard the knock and hurriedly threw her coverup over herself. This is really troublesome…
She huffed grumpily as she opened the door.
And felt her breath leave her in that second.
Nii-sama was at the door, and looking… looking so darn handsome, too handsome it was almost illegal. Rukia's mouth dropped open, as she took in his appearance. She had not expected him to look like this at all. She thought he would be just wearing the standard formal suit and that was it. He was indeed wearing one, but nothing had prepared her for how good he would look in it. Her eyes took in his crisp white shirt, and the neat light blue tie at his neck. An additional elegant blue vest tied the whole look together, with smart buttons at the front. His black hair framed his sharp face perfectly, falling a little over his left eye, playing on the prominence of the beautiful misty grey eyes among all those perfect features. And with a black formal coat to top it all off, Nii-sama was going for a girl massacre at the dance formal.
Rukia was rendered speechless. If there was an urban dictionary on modern slang words in the real world, the meaning of 'hot' should be rewritten as 'Byakuya Nii-sama'.
He had stopped right in front of her, and was looking at her enquiringly. And as his eyebrows lifted slightly, Rukia felt her heart pound faster. She vaguely wondered how the other girls would survive the night. Hurriedly, she pulled herself together.
'Why was he looking at me like that?' Rukia scrambled for something to say in her fuzzy mind.
'What? What does he expect me to say?'
What?
She latched onto the only statement she could think of and opened her mouth.
"Nii-sama… you… you look very handsome," Rukia said spontaneously.
WHAT!!!???
Rukia gave herself a mental slap. Nii-sama, you look very handsome!!!???? What was she thinking???
She blushed and quickly looked down.
Damn it. Was that a rude statement?? Rukia did not know. She never did know the Kuchiki rules. The minute the servants had left her for her very first time in her private room in the Kuchiki mansion, Rukia had tossed the enormous tome that was the Kuchiki household rulebook into the fire.
But he was handsome, wasn't he? Heck, more than handsome. He was heartstoppingly gorgeous, sexy, and desirable. Any woman or girl could see that. It wouldn't be rude to say that. Was it? It was the truth, after all. Rukia nervously looked up at Byakuya.
He stared back down at her.
Rukia could hardly make sense of what he was saying in the next few minutes. Thankfully, she managed to pull herself together to answer the questions appropriately about her plans for the evening. Orihime had insisted to come over to help touch her up, much to Rukia's dread. But now, she was grateful for it. At least, she wouldn't need to walk side by side with Nii-sama to the dance formal. She might lose her breath midway and collapse to the ground.
Ichigo walked to the ball. He had agreed to leave early to help Ishida set up the last-minute touchups to the dance formal venue. Though he had wanted to escort Rukia to the dance formal, if not as her partner…
Ichigo did not know why he was getting so worked up. But he… he missed that pint-sized girl in his closet. He also felt his room was a lot more quieter than it used to be, though the irritating ModSoul, Kon's amount of words were still at a constant. And between the Nee-sans here and there, it just added to the loneliness and the one girl absent for it. He never really did care for her presence in his room, and around him. It was natural, she was going to be there always.
But now, she was not.
He couldn't be jealous, could he?
He had taken her for granted. She was like air or water, always there, always around. And you never knew how important they were, until they were gone. Now Rukia slept in another's closet, another's room, spent more time with another person.
'Baka, Byakuya is Rukia's brother… what the hell could be happening? Nothing, Ichigo, get a grip on yourself. It sounds like you are some pathetic forlorn schoolboy in love with Rukia. You are just bored and lonely!'
Ichigo walked on silently.
'But do I… love her?'
"Kuchiki-san, you look so beautiful!"
Rukia felt herself blush. She had just removed her coverup for Orihime to see.
"Err… I… t-thank you. You look very gorgeous." She smiled at Orihime, who was wearing a strapless pink cocktail dress that enhanced her womanly curves. The pink choker at her neck matched off the outfit beautifully.
"Thanks!" Orihime rummaged in her small bag. "And I have all the weapons prepared!" She laughed as she put out one small box after another on Yuzu's desk.
Rukia's eyes widened. "Err… I don't need that much…"
Orihime turned her to face the mirror, and stood directly behind her. "Let's see…" She turned the many boxes open, and Rukia caught sight of so many intricate accessories and shining material.
"I really don't need-
"Trust me this once, Kuchiki-san."
Rukia could not say anything at that, and kept silent. Before long, the longer-haired girl was hard at work with her hands on the timid, short-haired one.
"So… besides Keigo, did anyone ask you out, Kuchiki-san?" Orihime smiled amiably as she combed through Rukia's hair.
"Err…" Rukia hesitated. "No... Did anyone ask you?"
Orihime smiled. "Yes, just one. Ishida-kun."
Rukia abruptly turned to face her, as Orihime yelped. "Don't move, Kuchiki-san!!! You will ruin it!!!" She turned Rukia back to the mirror, as Rukia looked at Orihime's reflection. "And you… rejected him?"
Orihime nodded sadly.
"It might be really rude, you don't have to tell me… but why?"
"I…" She saw Orihime bit her lip. "I… Ishida-kun really treats me nice, but I… I was…"
"I… I really wanted to go with Kurosaki-kun to… the… the dance," Orihime said, as her hands holding the comb trembled.
"B-But I…" Her hands clenched slightly. Rukia's heart sank. Ichigo? She wanted to go with Ichigo?
"I…" Orihime laughed slightly, and Rukia heard her throat constrict with tears. "He never asked me… and… and I'm just… w-waiting," Orihime held out her hands helplessly.
Rukia finally turned to face Orihime and took up her hands. "Inoue…"
Orihime smiled, tears welling in her eyes and she leaned into Rukia's arms. "A-Arigato, Kuchiki-san. I'm so sorry for ruining the mood."
"Don't cry, Inoue. You wll ruin your make…. er… make…"
Orihime pulled back. "Makeup?" She laughed.
Rukia laughed. "That."
"Now, come on!" Rukia turned back to the mirror obediently. "We will get ready at once and go out and have some fun!"
Orihime nodded happily, and took up the comb once more.
Ishida stopped a moment to check that everything was perfect in the school hall. Yes, everything was in place; the banners, the DJ standing at his spot, the silver-and-pink hearts hanging from the ceiling, the dancefloor…
And yet his heart was a little restless, anxious… and a little sad.
"Ishida-kun, I… I… I'm really honoured but I… I-I am so sorry."
"Inoue-san, it's alright. D-Don't be like this… I… Don't cry, please! It's just a dance, we will have fun. It's fine if we don't go as partners."
Ishida gripped the program flyer as he stared blankly at the proceedings around him.
Inoue-san…
"YAHOOOO!!!! This place is set for perfect chick-hunting!!!" Keigo laughed maniacally, before receiving a hit in the head from Ichigo.
"You know, the way you say it sounds really perverted."
"Hey, I'm not the only one being perverted here. I can practically see the girls all hungering for Kuchiki-sensei's body! Lucky bastard." He looked at Byakuya, who all the girls were practically gawping and swooning everywhere for.
"Yeah…" Ichigo said grumpily, as he self-consciously straightened his own suit.
"OH MY GOD!!!!"
"What is it this time?" Ichigo asked irritably.
"I-Is that… Kuchiki-san??"
Ichigo turned, and everything flew out of his mind at once.
"Go on, Kuchiki-san," Orihime smiled encouragingly as they approached the dance hall venue.
"I… I think…" Rukia turned around and tried to back away, but Orihime grabbed hold of her and steered her into the entrance. "It's alright, you look great, Kuchiki-san!! Everyone will love you!"
Rukia walked tentatively into the hall, her hands at the sides of her skirt, almost trembling. She watched as heads started to turn in her and Orihime's direction.
'Oh my God, oh my God, this is madness…'
Byakuya heard some gasps among the students, and nearly sighed. He had heard enough gasps as it is the second he had walked into the dance hall. He had been among the earliest of chaperons to arrive, and quickly became the unfortunate target of stupid questions from stupid students.
The girls were even more loopy and dreamy-looking than ever before, if that was possible. If they were going to come to an official event like this with zero attention and focus, they should not have come at all. And all the girls were all falling over themselves asking him if their skirts were too short, asking him to take a look down the V-drop in their dresses at the back to see if it was too inappropriate… It was the second time Byakuya wanted to unleash his Bankai in school. Finally, he settled for telling everyone they looked acceptable and escaped to the beverages section. There, he was ambushed by a group of female colleagues.
Now, he heard more gasps and turned irritably to the entrance, where most heads were turned to.
And felt his heart stop beating in that second.
She had her shoulder-length hair held up, secured with a glittery white butterfly pin at the back. Her dress was completely white and fell to above her knees, and the edges were lined with an intricate black floral detailing. The white of her dress imparted a soft glow to her skin, the flimsy straps over her shoulder accentuating the delicate bareness of her shoulders.
Byakuya watched her with his emotionless expression as she stepped into the hall, betraying not the slightest hint that his heart was beating so fast and that he had lost a second's worth of breath when she had walked into the hall. He had never seen her like this, her hair held up behind her, exposing her neck. And her skin… Byakuya had not realized she had such fair and soft-looking skin, almost glowing. She looked like an ethereal fairy sent down from the purest of heavens, right into the dance hall of Karakura Town high school.
She was maddeningly beautiful.
Rukia.
"Ta-dah! What do you think of my masterpiece?" Orihime smiled proudly, as she stepped up to the boys.
"KUCHIKI-SAN!" Keigo threw himself forwards. "Help me!! I've died and gone to heaven!!!!"
Rukia laughed uncomfortably.
"You look gorgeous, Kuchiki-san!"
"Beautiful."
"Really good work, Orihime!"
Rukia looked at Ichigo, waiting for his response, a tease maybe or something sarcastic.
"You… look really pretty, Rukia," Ichigo said, his expression awkward.
"I… Thank you, Ichigo."
"Inoue-san."
Orihime turned around as Ishida approached them, wearing his grey formal suit.
"You look gorgeous, Inoue-san. Your dress is perfect for you. You too, Kuchiki-san."
"Thank you," Orihime lowered her eyes shyly.
"We will dance one time tonight, won't we?"
"I… Sure," Orihime smiled.
Rukia scanned the crowd, as she picked up a small something from the appetizer table and popped it into her mouth. She had danced three times already, refused six. The ones she danced were with Keigo, Mizuiro… and Ichigo. The six she had refused were requests from five unknown boys… and Ichigo. She did not feel comfortable dancing to slow songs, as she had observed the boys and girls on the dancefloor. You had to put your arms around each other, and were practically in an embrace as the lights dimmed out and a slow song played. Rukia was not prepared to go there. The three dances she had danced to were rather upbeat ones, and involved funny movements, and she was happy to indulge in those silly interactions. Keigo had even twirled her around six times, non-stop. It was fun.
But when Ichigo had requested her for a slow dance, she had pretended to have a headache and had to recover a bit. Both knew she was lying, but none pressed the point. Ichigo had given her a sad smile and disappeared somewhere into the crowd. The crowd…
Rukia's eyes had kept diverting to a pair of grey ones each time she watched the crowd. Nii-sama. He was easily the most handsome man in the school hall, and all the females spared him a glance once every few minutes, the sight of all that perfection was just too precious to miss. And yet, Rukia could not help but notice that he was… watching her.
She did not know if she was being hypersensitive, but whenever she found her eyes straying to his, they were right on her. As soon as she tried to get a second look though, he appeared to be in some conversation or picking up a delicacy from the table. She was rather certain he was watching her, and the thought made her heart beat... just a little faster with the music. She had definitely met his eyes more than three times already... twice when she was dancing with Keigo and then Ichigo. And then there was that time when she was lifting a glass of juice from the drinks table and carelessly looked across the hall and there he was, directly across the dancefloor from her and his grey eyes burning right into her.
She wondered if he was having fun at this dance, and if he somehow managed to cook up some strategic way to evade the entire female body in the school hall as she did not see him once on the dancefloor.
Her thoughts were jolted from her head when she heard the loudspeaker blare.
"And now!!!" The mischievous voice of the DJ washed over them. "This is the time for the "Non-Partner" dance!!! If you came here with a partner, push her or him away now! It is forbidden to dance with your partner this time!" The students in the hall laughed. "I mean it! So pick someone who you did not escort to the dance! And for those who are partner-less,…" Rukia could almost hear the DJ smirking. "… choose someone unlikely to dance with! The unlikelier, the better!!" He laughed. "Go people! You do not have to worry about discomfort because I will just play a snippet of a romantically slow English song, so you will only need to bear the company for one minute or less! And most importantly, have funnn!!!"
There were some shuffling as everyone went about hunting for "unlikely" partners.
"Guess I can't dance with you since I came here with you, Kuchiki-san!" Orihime laughed slightly. Rukia smiled back. She had just seen Ichigo looking at her.
'One minute of slow-dancing would be fine, I guess…'
"Kuchiki Rukia."
Rukia's eyes widened at hearing the deep voice, and whirled around. She heard audible gasps from the girls nearby, but she could not look away, could not look at the people around her. She could only look at him.
Her heart started galloping like a runaway horse, as she looked into those piercing slate eyes. She was unable to say a word.
"K-K…"
"May I have this dance?" Her Nii-sama stood in front of her now, and held out a hand.
Rukia's eyes widened but Byakuya did not look away, keeping his hand outstretched to her. She looked down, willing her heart to slow down, to get her bearings.
Then, she lifted her eyes shyly to him.
"Y-Yes." Her answer was a soft whisper.
And Rukia placed her small hand tentatively into Byakuya's. She almost gasped as his fingers grasped hers, his hand was so warm. Rukia kept her head down to hide the bright red of her cheeks and to avoid the stares of all the girls and boys around them, as they walked out onto the dancefloor.
'What was Nii-sama doing? It should be strange of a teacher to dance with a student, wouldn't it?'
Byakuya stood facing her, as the lights dimmed off. Rukia watched as the lights faded off on her Nii-sama's features, imparting a mysterious charm to the already handsome man. Her eyes widened as he suddenly moved forwards, closer to her. Too close.
His hand kept hers in his, as his other one curled around her waist. Rukia felt her breath hitch at the contact. She lifted her hand awkwardly and placed it on his shoulder. In one swift movement, Byakuya gently pulled her to him, pulled her closer. Rukia gasped softly as she slightly fell towards him.
And then the music started.
Take time to realize…
He held her near, his hand on her waist as they moved in a slow circle.
That your warmth is…
His hands, so firm yet gentle on her.
Crashing down…
Rukia could feel Byakuya's eyes steadily burning into her.
On in…
He probably had to do this, had followed and learnt the dance steps, the rules.
Take time to realize…
And one of them being that you had to look at your partner.
That I'm on your side…
Then why couldn't she look at him? He was just Nii-sama.
Didn't I? Didn't I tell you?
Rukia lifted her eyes shyly to Byakuya's.
If you just realize what I just realized…
His gaze held hers.
Then we would be…
No words. Nothing.
Perfect for each other.
The music ended, and before Rukia knew it, Byakuya had already stepped back, his hand had withdrew and were back at his sides, and he was bowing slightly to her. Flustered, Rukia responded with a curtsy, though she didn't know if she did it right. Byakuya straightened, lifted his eyes to her for a full second, and then he turned and retreated from the dancefloor.
Rukia watched him go.
"RUKIA!" Keigo was calling her. He was standing near the punch bowl at the snacks table, Ichigo next to him.
Rukia quickly made her way over to them.
Keigo was wearing an expression of significant satisfaction and he was smiling smugly at Rukia.
"What?" Rukia said somewhat defensively. "Why are you- Ichigo, WHAT happened??? What did you do to-"
The fan-shaped paper napkin, if it had indeed been one a while ago, was reduced to an indistinguishable shape in Ichigo's hand. Scraps of pink paper littered the floor around him.
"Oh, don't worry! I think Kurosaki-kun just has some… issues," Keigo smiled evilly, and elbowed Ichigo slightly.
A blow to the head was what he got.
"OUCH!" Keigo rubbed his head where Ichigo had struck him. "Hey, hey it's a ball, you know? You can't go round ruining my hairstyle! I might not be able to impress more chicks! Anyway, Rukia..." He turned to Rukia, smiling cheekily. "You know what?? I think Kuchiki-sensei likes you, Rukia!!"
"NO!" The word escaped from Rukia as she blushed, before realizing someone had also shouted out the very same as she did. She looked at a disgruntled-looking Ichigo.
"He can't." Ichigo muttered angrily, looking away from her.
He can't. Of course he can't. And I can't. He's my Nii-sama.
'But both of you are not related, are you? Not at all… strangers if I will say… if not brought together by fate…' The traitorous voice whispered in Rukia's heart.
'No.' She felt her hands clench into fists at her sides.
'No, he's my Nii-sama. Always my Nii-sama. Nothing more, and nothing less.'
"And now that time has come…" The host lowered his microphone, smiling devilishly once again. The dance had run for almost three hours now, and the moon and stars had finally come out into the night.
"It's called the 'Feelings as Clear as Glass" dance! Now boys, don't be embarrassed and go get that girl you've been wanting to dance with the whole night! If she is indeed your partner, well grab on hold tight and don't let her go! (lest someone steals her away!) And girls, be bold and head up to that male specimen you've always wanted to dance with. GO ON, PEOPLE!!"
Rukia put her hands together awkwardly. She hated when the DJ did it like this. Because for some strange reason, everyone was super obedient to his words, and everyone would dance to his instructions. And if you did not, well, you will be the only one left in the corner. And he would single you out and mention your name throughout the night, as what happened to several pitiful female students.
Feelings as clear as glass. Rukia's hands clenched again at her sides. She had avoided looking at Nii-sama from across the hall after they had danced that one short dance together. But her thoughts were so full of him and she was so unfocused, Ichigo and the rest could easily tell the reason why she appeared so preoccupied. And what was worse, Orihime had come to inform her that a new gossip had started around the hall concerning her relationship with the bachelor of the moment.
"They are saying that both are you are somehow involved together, and that is against the school rules!" Orihime had said, before reassuring her that the jealousy would die down sooner or later.
Feelings as clear as glass…
Rukia knew who she should dance with, and also who she wanted to dance with. She closed her eyes, as she struggled with her inner feelings and emotions. It was amazing that a simple choice of company for three minutes could cause this much excruciating, torn-up feelings.
She kept her eyes closed. And remembered her choice so many weeks back. As she had made the choice in front of the whole of Soul Society Captains. She would do the same. She closed her eyes, and listened to her heart beating.
And to listen again to what it was telling her.
Ichigo looked about in discomfort. This time he was going to ask Rukia to dance. No more holding back, no more feeling awkward. The bastard Byakuya had obviously not let that stopped him from asking his own sister to dance.
Ichigo had watched them both dancing from the side. He did not like the emotions playing in Rukia's eyes as she moved in Byakuya's arms. There was something there, something that was never there before. Ichigo had felt his hands clench hard into fists.
Now, he looked about the crowd, trying to spot the beautiful, petite girl. He could not find her, no matter how hard he looked.
Rukia was gone.
'Kurosaki-kun…'
Orihime watched Ichigo turn back and forth, searching the crowd. His eyes never once landing on her. Never looking for her. She felt her heart ache.
'Kurosaki-kun… how I wish…'
"Inoue-san."
Her eyes widened slightly at the voice, and she turned.
"I-Ishida-kun."
"Ah… Inoue-san, I… I was wondering if you could do me the greatest honour to dance this one dance with me?" Ishida smiled slightly. "As friends… not a-as partners…"
Orihime looked at him, trying hard to stop the tears welling in her eyes.
"Arigato, Ishida-kun," she whispered. "And I would love to."
Byakuya lifted a drink to his mouth, scanning the crowd subtly, trying to not let it look as if his eyes had only been on one student the entire time since the dance formal started. She was nowhere to be seen. His eyes narrowed. He remembered seeing her returning to her friends' side after the short "Non-Partner" dance. Did they, no, did Kurosaki Ichigo take her somewhere?
And when the host announced the current dance, Byakuya had a whole new set of problems to deal with. The female teachers were suddenly looking even more predator-like, if that were even possible. They were all whispering and pushing slightly against themselves, looking very much like the students themselves. Byakuya knew what it was they wanted. He considered going to the bathroom to fix his clothes but really flashing out of his gigai. But he did not want any woman to be in his arms, gigai or otherwise. Not any woman…
A simpering woman colleague approached Byakuya and batted her eyeslashes at him. "Kuchiki-sensei…" She giggled slightly, and Byakuya tried his best not to flinch away from her. "… this current dance…"
"Kuchiki-sensei."
That voice.
Byakuya immediately turned, completely disregarding the woman colleague in front of him. The person he had been looking for all the time was now standing before him, and she looked very awkward, and very very red. And so very, very beautiful.
Rukia.
Upon his gaze, she lowered her eyes. "Er… Um… I was wondering if… if I could have t-this dance,… a-a real dance?" she asked and looked up.
Her eyes widened.
Byakuya had already stretched out his hand, despite his impassive face. "The pleasure is all mine."
Rukia felt her cheeks heat up again and tentatively put one small hand into his. The female teacher's jaw dropped as they walked out onto the dancefloor.
Rukia did not know what she was doing.
I think Kuchiki-sensei likes you, Rukia!
She thought she should repay Nii-sama back for asking her, a lowly girl to dance. Yes, that was what it was. That was why she had made her way over to him to shamelessly asked him for a dance. But deep down, as she felt Byakuya's warm hand over hers, she knew that was not the real reason she did so.
She wanted to dance with him.
To feel his arms around her waist once again.
To have her hand held in his warm one.
To have him so close to her like this as her heart beat so erratically.
To have a reason… to be with him.
What is happening to me?
"Alright. So the person you are with right now is the person you have longed to be dancing in each other's arms since the whole night!" the host smiled.
Byakuya kept silent as he watched the girl in front of him get redder by the minute.
Rukia…
Why had she approached him? And asked him to dance?
Everything had fell away as he had turned at her voice. Everything had faded away into nothingness, the bright lights, the tables, the ornaments, even the irritating woman behind him. It was just him… and her.
He had cursed himself, cursed himself as his hand shot out to hers without a moment's hesitation. Cursed himself at the overbearing eagerness of his heart to agree to her request. Cursed himself at wanting to dance, to get close to her.
He flashed back on their first dance just an hour ago. He did not know what had prompted him to walk across the hall to Rukia. He just felt he had looked at her the whole night and looking… was not enough.
It was going to be alright, just a minute's snippet of a foreign song. That would help him get over the image of this heartbreakingly beautiful girl. Perhaps after he had held her just a minute, he would get over this… this strange, unbearable feeling…
But as he had held her close, his arm on the curve of her waist, her small hand enveloped in his, he knew it had been a bad choice. His treacherous heart was thudding so hard in his chest, he wondered if she could actually hear it. And he could not look away from the blushing girl in his arms, it was as if his eyes could not get enough from the heavenly apparition right in front of him. And as she shyly lifted her wide violet eyes to his grey ones, his fast galloping heart missed its usual rhythm every few beats. And so close, he could smell the light floral scent coming from her hair…
He was drowning, right into her…
And now, he was facing her yet again. He was keeping his exterior expression emotionless as always but he was cursing silently at himself, wanting to tear into himself for doing this. Why had he said yes? He should have given her the cold slip and danced instead with that miserable woman colleague.
But as he looked at Rukia, he knew deep down he never had the capability to do so in the first place. He would never say no, especially not when she herself came up to him, completely of her own free will, to ask him to dance with her. And not when his own heart wanted…
He felt a shot of anticipation race through his body, as the lights dimmed off and he stepped towards her. This time, she did the same.
Can we… just this once?
Rukia did not need Byakuya to pull her to him this time. She stepped closer to him, keeping her timid eyes down, as she placed her hand on his shoulder and moved a little more closer.
She lifted her eyes to him, and saw something register in his slate eyes. Shock? Uncertainty? Something else?
Then the music started and nothing else mattered as Byakuya moved slowly and expertly, taking her together in his arms. He never took his eyes off hers.
They moved together slowly, never looking away from each other. Not needing to look down to see if their feet were going to get entangled, or going the wrong way. Their eyes, guiding the two souls where each wanted the other to go, and every movement was read perfectly, without a word or sound.
Rukia felt herself drown in Byakuya's grey eyes. They were beckoning, truly beckoning to her… as the soft music played around them…
You're in my arms,
And all the world is calm,
The music playing on for only two,
So close together,
And when I'm with you,
So close to feeling alive…
It was only natural as her body began to lean towards him, and she pressed herself closer to him. Her head leaned onto his shoulder, his lips so close to her ear. She felt his breath graze the side of her face, and her heart fluttered each time she felt the warm air against her cheek. She closed her eyes in the embrace, taking the opportunity to savour this moment, this moment of closeness as never before. Being so close like this felt heavenly and at the same time, so very natural almost as if... it was meant to be.
A life goes by,
Romantic dreams will stop,
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew,
So close was waiting, waiting here with you,
And now forever I know,
All that I want is to hold you,
So close…
Byakuya held Rukia as tenderly as he could, moved slowly for her to follow his lead. He did not want to do anything wrong, any mistake, that could hinder this magic floating about them as they danced. He wanted it to stay this way. Her wide violet eyes staring into his, her cheeks tinted so irresistibly with pink. She was so very beautiful, like the very first of snowflakes that marked the beginning of a silver winter. Or the first sakura that bloomed in spring. Or both. Her warm, small hand in his… and her small frame against his body… so close, they felt so close… too close…
And he already knew, he did not need to ask her.
'Your favourite colour is white.'
So close to reaching that famous happy ending…
Rukia inhaled slowly, taking in Byakuya's scent. It didn't matter, she had long memorized it…
Almost believing this was not pretend…
They both felt the lights coming on, it was coming to an end…
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come…
She pulled back from him slightly, and her violet eyes met the misty grey ones… perhaps for the last time this way…
So far we are…
Her hand clenched slightly on his coat as his hand tightened on her waist. And then they had to… let go.
So close.
The lights brightened up, as the last strains of the music faded away. Everyone on the dancefloor began clapping excitedly, that dance song had been unbelievably romantic and heartfelt.
Rukia put her hands together, trying not to let them tremble. She looked up at her Nii-sama, and his grey eyes were unreadable, as always. Without a word, he bowed his head a little and walked away from her. She watched as he headed to the terrace-like balcony that had been beautifully decorated by the students for the dance formal. Her hands shook slightly at her sides, as he turned the frosted glass door and headed out into the night air. The students were too busy applauding to realize that their object of ultimate admiration had just disappeared, and that a certain white-clad girl had just hurried out into the porch as well.
"N-Nii-sama."
Byakuya's eyes widened as he heard the soft voice call. He calmly turned around to see Rukia, smoothing the ends of her beautiful dress.
Why did you come here? I need to be alone.
Byakuya needed to be alone, to put his heart back in the right place, to sort out these messed-up thoughts, these feelings. He did not like the way his heart was beating so uncharacteristically fast, and did not like the reason that was causing it so.
"O-Out to enjoy the night air, N-Nii-sama?"
Byakuya turned away from her, and up at the moon. He nodded carefully.
"Oh."
Awkward silence fell.
Rukia tried to look elsewhere, to find something else to focus her attention on. Why had she followed him out here in the first place?
Her eyes fells on one of the fake white columns the decoration committee had placed around the porch and her eyes widened in happiness.
Byakuya turned as he heard Rukia run towards one of the white columns in the terrace. He watched as she knelt down and carefully slipped her hands between the columns, producing a paperback from it.
"What is that?"
"My romance novel, Nii-sama."
"Don't call me that."
Rukia's head snapped up to look at him at shock. Her mind completely blanked out. Don't call him that? What did he mean? If not, what do I call him? There's nothing left to call…
Rukia felt a sudden panic as her fuzzy mind clawed for a term of address. There was none. She could only think of one.
"B-Byakuya…"
Byakuya blinked at her.
Seeing his surprised expression, realization hit Rukia. "O-OHH! I-I mean… Kuchiki-sensei…"
Byakuya's slate eyes widened as he heard his name. He had just instructed Rukia not to call him Nii-sama, to use the proper term of Kuchiki-sensei. After all, any student or teacher might be eavesdropping.
But that was not what he got.
B-Byakuya…
His eyes widened, as Rukia stuttered. She looked like a pufferfish out of breath. It was the first time he had ever heard her say his name, just like that. Just Byakuya. He liked the way she called his name. It sounded very nice the way she said it, even though she had not used any honorifics.
Slowly, he tore his eyes away from her to look down at the thick book in her hand.
"Why was it hidden among the pillars?"
Rukia recovered and smiled slightly. "I-I just felt I might get bored during the dance, so I hid my novel there so I could come out here and read, if things got a bit too tiresome." She blushed slightly at her own words. The night had been anything but boring.
"A romance novel?"
Rukia looked up at the deep voice and nodded.
"Is it any good?"
"It's alright…" Rukia fingered the spine of the book absentmindedly. "I like it… but the plot's a bit rushed."
"Like this part here…" Rukia flipped to a page on the novel. "They just start kissing all of a sudden, without any prior development of feelings. If there's nothing there in the first place, they wouldn't have kissed, would they? Like here… 'He scaled the wall easily to her window, as her wide eyes looked down at the sudden handsome stranger. He did not wait, he crushed his mouth onto hers in a fiery and passionate kiss'…" Rukia snorted. "I mean, it's a tad too quick, isn't it?" She looked up at Byakuya, before realizing she had just spoken way too casually to him. She ducked her head down in embarrassment.
Byakuya looked at her, before nodding carefully. "It is. They should have started a little on the uncertainty of their feelings. When he's afraid of what he might be feeling for her… and of what her feelings for him are like…" Byakuya breathed in slightly. "Something like… 'He does not know where this is taking him, taking them. He does not want to know, yet his heart yearns… to know the ending. To know... the feelings in her heart." He lifted his grey eyes to Rukia.
Rukia blushed slightly at the words, the poetic words of her Nii-sama. Somehow, those words seemed to…
Rukia's hand gripped her book so tight, too tight. And she opened her mouth. "She fears these feelings coming to life in her. She does not know what to do, where to run. She's afraid to fall, yet all she wants is to throw herself… right into him…"
"He does not really know what is happening between them, what would transpire between them if it goes on any further. But this heart, his heart… is leading him on, nearer to the edge…"
"This is not her place, and not her choice. She can only wait… and wait… in need."
Both of them had taken a step forward, and were now standing close to each other. A bit too close for personal space. A bit too close for comfort. A bit too close... for just platonic feelings.
"Too many uncertainties… and yet…" Byakuya looked down at her, taking in her whole frame, the entire sight of her. And saw the small blue nametag fixed on the side of her dress.
Kuchiki Rukia.
Kuchiki. Rukia.
Kuchiki.
Kuchiki…
Slowly, his grey eyes shifted back to her violet ones. "Yet one thing he knows, and that is these feelings must never come to fruition."
Rukia blinked and looked up at Byakuya. He stared back at her coolly. Now, he had withdrawn a few steps back from her.
"Because… they were… not meant for each other," he finished.
Rukia looked up at him, her violet eyes wide. He looked back, unfazed.
A beat of silence. Then-
Rukia suddenly smiled. "Kuchiki-sensei, you have very good authorship! Very good! Though that sounds like such a tragic love story!"
Byakuya watched as Rukia pulled herself together and smiled at him. It was excruciating, watching her like this. He felt as if he had been struck by thousands of needles everywhere in his body.
It hurt.
These feelings must never come to fruition…
Byakuya gripped his hands at his sides so hard he felt his nails biting into his skin painfully. It hurt so much to see her like this. But before he could do anything,-
"Kuchiki-sensei! Thank you so much for the dance!" Rukia bowed low, and Byakuya lost sight of her face. "It was very nice of you to dance with…"
"… a student." She straightened up, and Byakuya saw her smile, so sincere and sweet. And still so very beautiful. If he had not been staring so hard at her, he would never have seen how cleverly she disguised her feelings. He saw the flash of sadness and hurt pass in a second through her eyes even as she was smiling, and it hurt him.
It hurt him a lot.
"Arigatou, Kuchiki-sensei."
She began to turn away. Byakuya's hand lifted reflexively from his side, as he watched her. What? What could he do? Reach out and grab hold of her hand? Stop her from leaving?
He was the one who had hurt her. The one who had led her on and then cut her off.
"Ru-" His voice was soft.
But she had already hurried away from the moonlit terrace.
Away from his cruel words.
Away from his side.
Rukia knocked timidly against the bedroom door, and opened it. She entered the room and the first thing she saw was Nii-sama in his shirt and vest sitting at his desk. His coat draped over his chair. She felt her cheeks heat up.
Rukia had just returned home from the dance, walking with Sado. The rest of the dance had passed in a blur for her. She was not really seeing anyone, not really watching or listening to anything. She could only repeat those words in her head, as her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
These feelings must never come to fruition...
Nii-sama had disappeared after that exchange, it was as if he had completely evaporated from the balcony. Rukia had waited for a while as the hall slowly cleared, as students made their way sleepily home after a satisfying night of dancing to their hearts' content. When it became apparent that Byakuya was nowhere to be seen, she then decided to make her way home. Ichigo had been waiting for her, but she brushed him off and insisted that he accompanied Orihime home instead. Rukia did not think she could deal with so many emotional issues at once. In the end, Ichigo had insisted that someone walked her home, and she had then settled upon Sado, probably the safest choice she could ever make. And more importantly, the quietest choice.
Now she stood in the bedroom nervously, waiting for Nii-sama's response. He turned around and she braced herself, prepared herself to address him formally, and in the appropriate way as should be. As he wished it to be.
"Rukia-san!" Byakuya smiled, and he looked so damn handsome again.
"O-Oh, Shon!" Rukia breathed a sigh of relief, and went over to him.
"Wow, Rukia-san... you look very, very beautiful!"
"Thank you."
"But Rukia-san, your cheeks are so red." Byakuya looked at her curiously.
"I-Is it?" Rukia reached out and touched her warm cheeks.
Byakuya nodded silently.
"W-Where is Nii-sama?"
"He came home, and said he had some duties to attend to." Shon nodded towards the window, before smiling wide. "Rukia-san, you… you look like a really, really ripe tomato!"
Rukia laughed uncomfortably. "I tend to blush a lot." She smiled. "Remember what you said to me during the funfair? It made me blush then as well…"
"Err…"
"You don't remember?" she asked, crestfallen.
"Ah… I mean…"
Rukia laughed a little to cover her disappointment, though it did not work that well. The laugh sounded so painful. The ModSoul did not even remember saying those words to her and here she was, so affected by them.
Pathetic.
"I give up, Rukia-san!"
Rukia turned to Shon in surprise. "Huh?"
"Kuchiki-taichou will murder me!!" Byakuya threw his hands up uncharacteristically. "Rukia-san, it wasn't me that day. It was Kuchiki tai-chou."
"Huh?" Rukia did not understand.
"That day, Rukia-san. The day you went to the funfair. I was never there, I was never in Kuchiki tai-chou's body. It was Kuchiki tai-chou himself all along."
Rukia felt something disappear in her.
"W-What? WHAT??" she asked, as she felt herself sway with the revelation.
"Rukia-san, are you okay?" Byakuya got up and held onto her, guiding her to the bed.
"B-But… impossible… you seem t-to know…" Though as Rukia said it, she realized it. Right from the start, the ModSoul had appeared a little confuzzled and nervous whenever she mentioned the funfair.
"Kuchiki tai-chou asked me to do so, to act as if I went to the funfair with you. But it was really him all along, Rukia-san."
"I… I… it was…" Rukia brought her hand to her mouth in pure shock. "It… it was... Nii-sama…"
Oh my God. Oh my God.
It was him, it was him all along.
His voice, his hands, his words.
I just don't like it when you disappear from my sight with every round.
Rukia gasped as she remembered him reaching out and touching her on the merry-go-round.
Okay here… you don't even need to touch it. Just bite… Aaaaaa…
The cotton candy.
What you want is what I want, Rukia…
The twin bunnies.
It had been so obvious, the way he was talking was purely all Nii-sama. The serious expression, the carefully-chosen words… why had she not seen it then?
Can you carry me on your back?
Ohh, this is really nice!!!
Is it?
The piggyback ride. Rukia lifted her hand to her mouth in shock.
I've always wanted Nii-sama to carry me on his back…
It had been him, it had really been Nii-sama. He had really piggybacked her, played games with her, learned the things she taught him that day. And she had let out everything to him about her world, her childish whims, her jokes, even shared a little of her life in the Rukongai with him.
"Rukia-san, are you okay? Did something happen at that funfair?" Byakuya asked, peering at her worriedly.
Rukia looked up into those grey eyes, those eyes that were causing so much to happen in her world right now.
What do you want with me?
And so I hope you like it enough!! *jumps excitedly* There are a couple of interesting facts about this chapter *grins*:
1) This is the first time I'm trying to write sections of songfics... so hope it turned out okay... the songs I used are "Realize" by Colbie Caillat (if you have never heard it, do listen to it, it's beautiful) and "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin (this song is more famously known as the soundtrack of the "Enchanted" movie).
2) A section in this chapter was the first ever written section of this fic 'To Win You Back'. The section is the first dance of Rukia and Byakuya to the song "Realize". I first heard this song in June 2009 (lol, I know... rather outdated), a few days after I finished my first fanfic 'Teach me How to Love'. Then I had the inspiration to write a ByaRuki dance to this song (it has stayed exactly as I wrote it months ago as it is you are seeing it now) and from here, I drew the plotline to this story. So this chapter is the "seed" to this story.
3) I threw in a lot of uncertain feelings in this chapter, besides those of Byakuya and Rukia. I just recently added in this idea because I thought a dance like this would be good to explore not just Byakuya's and Rukia's, but a little of Ichigo's, Orihime's and Ishida's... resulting in a quadrangle of love!! LOL... but two parts are already connected so... *laughs* Hope you liked it as well. :)
4) 'I like it... but the plot's a bit rushed'... lol, I worked that part in about Rukia's romance novel to make myself feel better about my own super-long story plot... :D
5) Really, really thanks for all reviews for the previous chapter, they made me smile!! (yumekage *high-fives* thanks for the back-to-back reviews despite your need to concentrate on work! And Deidara-kunisMine, your back-to-back ones made me smile so much! I was laughing though coz you were asking for Ishida-kun and this chapter was already ready to go with much more exposure of him (though not really that much) so I thought it was really coincidental! Lol... I dedicate Ishida-kun in this chapter to you :D) Many were saying they couldn't wait for Chapter 14 because of my promise that it would be BIG... so I hope you don't come away disappointed. :)
6) I will make this the New Year gift to readers, hope it's good enough as one (well, at least it's a bit lengthy for reading material :D)!! Happy New Year everyone!!! I had a blast: BBQ-ing on the beach and staying till an impending thunderstorm and watched everyone scatter (scatter?? *sensitive word* lol)... then a big cookout at friend's home instead... and then playing games till the countdown... and then being forced by friends to take a shot of tequila and half a glass of Shiraz (I'm a no drinks kind of person, just a sip turns me red and gives me a headache, so if you happen to be underage and if you CAN'T drink and your friends pressure you into drinking for "social" reasons, tell them straight NO. You are your own person, no one makes you do what you don't want. And then got home at 3am... there were many drunks on the train but no mishaps... one more thing, stay safe and alert if you're out celebrating New Year's! I don't know which readers have actually spent their New Year already since my timezone's rather early... so just some healthy advice... Happy New Year!!! :)
7) So now comes the BYARUKI feelings for real in this chapter!!!
8) I was suddenly struck by an inspiration for another ByaRuki fic!! My God, I'm already struggling with this one, and occasionally with the sequel... on top of work.. and my hyperactive brain suddenly decides to churn out another ByaRuki story plot. It's really nice, I really like the plotline but it's going to be really, really long so I've put down the main points in case I forgot... for years into the future, I guess. Lol :D
9) And please, please review this chapter, what you think about it, what I could improve, and whatnot!!! And support me to continue writing the next biggie, chapter 15!!! :D