Miki dozed off in the bed, but her eyes fluttered open at a movement across the room. She propped herself up on one elbow to take a look at the man who stood at her desk.
She watched as he removed his kenseikan from his hair slowly. He set them atop a pile of white cloth folded neatly on the desk, a sort of bittersweet sadness radiated off him.
"Byakuya? What are you doing?" she asked, apprehension in her voice.
"We must leave here," he said, turning to her.
"What on earth are you talking about?" She hopped out of bed.
"I cannot bear to be away from you. So, we'll just have to leave."
"And what? Run? How is that any life for us?"
"Better that than living in two different worlds."
"No, it's not. And what? You abandon everyone else who needs you? There is so much more in this life than just me that's precious to you, don't forget that. Who's going to take care of division six?"
"Renji can do it," he said.
"Renji is an idiot."
"He'll do fine, until they can find a replacement."
"And Rukia? Who's going to get her out of trouble?"
"Renji and Ichigo have always taken better care of her than I have."
"You cannot just run away from it all. You don't belong here."
"I can, and I will. I belong wherever you are."
"Now you are an idiot," she said, but moved to embrace him. "Besides, how long would it be until some dark blade flies out of the shadows and takes you away from me permanently? What do I do then?"
"That-"
"Don't say it won't happen. Byakuya, I can't live like that anymore. I will not run."
She sighed, pulling on some clothes hastily. The pain in his eyes tore her heart out. It meant so much that he'd give it all to be with her. She reached up to him, running her hand down his face, then pulled him over to the mirror.
"Look at yourself. Is this really you? Tell me honestly that you can look in a mirror every day and bear seeing this looking back at you? It is not who you are, love, and for me to accept any less than that would be wrong."
She sighed, "You have your responsibilities, and I have to go to work now. I love you. With all my heart, I do. But please, I expect you to not be here when I get back."
She took one last look behind her, at the man she loved more than anything, the bright Hawaiian shirt a sharp contrast to his dark features, the flowers seeming to dance upon the fabric itself, though the man remained absolutely still. She shut the door, leaving him staring at his reflection in the mirror.