Lock
He thought it ironic that a lord like him would stoop so low to steal.
To be a thief in love.
The name Kuchiki is revered feared throughout Seireitei with a few often fatal exceptions. More harmless examples came to mind, such as the warmongering 11th division barbarian who called himself Kenpachi. Fifty years ago, it was Shiba Kaien who called him "that arrogant brat". Now, fifty years later, an orange-haired Substitute shinigami counterpart with the same uncouth, brash and disrespectful manner would insult but grudgingly respect him.
Aside from such minor outliers, there was nothing that his name, his wealth, his prestige could not procure for him.
Except…
A petite, small-boned woman with raven hair and messy bangs…
Her sad eyes…
Her regretful (rare) smiles…
Her ungivable love…
Hisana had been so embarassed when he caught her in the act once of hiding small precious trinkets and bonbon sweets in a tucked away box, a residual habit from the Rukongai which forever lingered in her system.
But she never knew that he did the same.
When Time becomes too heavy and blurs his memories, Byakuya would go to a specific room in the manor, which was isolated and forbidden for others to enter. He would carefully finger the cherry wood comb which held a few strands of ebony before moving onto a carefully wrapped box containing different garments Hisana used to wear.
And now…
To think that he is back to stealing again. And this time, this person is nigh impossible to capture.
But Byakuya also knew that if he did accomplish such a feat through dishonourable means, it would mean her death. The image of a different pair of healing hands, stardust eyes gazing through the bars of a birdcage drew a shudder from his core.
She is so different from Hisana.
Yet Byakuya soon learned how subtly, how easily one can fall for Her as well.
So here he is now, in a different room could it even be called a room? in Her favourite place whenever she came to visit the Seireitei and his home, an alcove, near the gardens and stables, above the library.
His collection is still small but growing.
Inside a lacquer box, wrapped in windflower silk, lay simple mundane objects.
A well worn thimble…
A pumpkin pincushion stuck with a needle containing in its eye a spool of rich purple…
A black hankerchief with red motifs of swastikas something which she had worked so hard over, but not for him, no, for Kurosaki Ichigo…
More importantly for himself a slightly yellowed origami crane of light blue speckled with pink sakuras something she had folded and intended to give and had given to him…
Now, he can add another precious memento. A long lock of sunshine hair.
Ironically, in Love, Kuchiki Byakuya had always been a thief. Happiness is fleeting so he sought the only way to make it permanent. He stole it. Broke them into pieces and locked them away for his safekeeping and perusal.
But in this present case, he cannot be satisfied. He wanted all of Inoue Orihime, every corner of her too generous forever giving heart, her nubile lithe shadow, smiles and laughter, the cause of which is Byakuya.
But Kuchiki Byakuya will settle for these small items instead and lock them away within his heart.
For now.
A/N Cliffhanger for the ending, muahaha! *gets maimed*
I'm trying to update more submissions as often as I can, but, unfortunately, no guarantees.