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

Chapter 25 - A new friend for Takuma

Sara's POV

"We should have a picnic," I said with a smile as I pinned up my hair with my pink jade hairpin. Byakuya turned to me and gave me a strange look.

"A picnic," he asked, "At a time like this? Sara, we're supposed to be preparing for a war!"

"You seem to find time to want to have sex with me," I gently reminded, "Yet you cannot find time to spend precious moments with your family…"

"That's different," Byakuya replied, "We're supposed to find time to be intimate with each other. It strengthens our bond as husband and wife."

I rolled my eyes and walked to my kitchen. Byakuya followed me through and leaned on the door post. I could feel his eyes on me when I was busying myself with trying to make nice things to eat for the picnic I was going to have whether he came with me or not. Byakuya walked inside the kitchen and walked to towards me, hugging my waist from behind and resting his head on my shoulder and watched me work.

"What's wrong, honey," I asked, turning my head slightly.

"I just want to hold you," Byakuya whispered and I nodded as I sliced some bread.

"I understand," I said with a heavy sigh. I felt him nuzzle me and lightly kissed my neck. His hands travelled down my arms and placed them on my hands as I worked. His body was so close to mine and I struggled to stop myself from succumbing to my desires. He guided my hands as I sliced through the bread, "Byakuya, not while I'm working."

"No, I'm not seducing you," he whispered, "I just want to touch you."

"Those months in the Kuchiki holding cells really damaged you, didn't they," I asked, "Touch me all you like, Byakuya, my body is yours."

Byakuya kissed my shoulder and I placed the knife I was using down on the counter, "Sara, you're right…your body does belong to me. I am glad you understand that," he said and I could tell he was playing with me and that a smirk was playing on his lips and I could feel my cheeks heating up. He sighed again and his arms went back around my waist and he caressed my pregnant stomach.

My cheeks reddened as he caressed me, "You never fail to make me flustered, my love."

"That's because you love me," Byakuya whispered into me ear. He was right about that.

"Six more months and we'll have another baby," I commented, "I hope I don't miscarry again… I don't think my heart will be able to take it. I placed my hands on his leaned my head back onto his chest, "Are you sure you don't want a picnic? Perhaps these will be our last moments together… I could die or you could die when we fight Soichiro. You never know what will happen."

Byakuya gripped me tightly, "Please don't say that, Sara, my heart cannot take it anymore," I could feel him trembling and I turned around in his arms. We stood in each other's arms for a long time, unable to move.

"Fine," he said, "Let's go on this picnic."

"Let's take the children too," I replied, "In fact, Rukia and Tsukasa will come too."

"Anything you want, Sara," he replied softly. I pulled away slightly so that I could look up at his handsome face. My hands rested on his chest and I gripped the material of his shihakusho.

"Do you remember our first kiss, Byakuya," I asked, "Not the kiss you took in anger…the kiss we shared in the cherry blossom grove…. That had been magical. It was the first time you said you loved me."

"It was the first of many," Byakuya said, "And it was the first time you said that you loved me too."

I nodded, "And I still do, my lord."

Byakuya caught my lips in a gentle kiss, "Please don't call me that… I'm your husband not your lord. You're not my servant; you're my equal."

I smiled and pulled him back for a kiss, a kiss which was passionate as soon as our lips touched. Byakuya's arms tightened around my waist and as his kiss became desperate and Byakuya lifted me up onto the counter, my legs wrapping around his waist. It was then that I felt a tugging on the edge of my hakama. I broke the kiss and looked down at the person who had interrupted us. Takuma stood there and he looked up at us innocently.

"Are we going on the picnic now?"

I laughed and nodded, "Yes, we are, my dear," I said as I reached down and placed a hand on the top of his head, ruffling his hair. I slipped back down onto the floor but Byakuya didn't let go of my waist as I tried to move, "Byakuya, let go, I'm trying to work," I said playfully. Byakuya kissed my cheek before letting go and turned back to my food preparation. Tsukasa ran inside the kitchen and a look of horror appeared on her face.

"My lady, stop!"

"What," I asked, clearly confused.

"You're not supposed to be preparing the food! You're Lady Kuchiki and ladies such as you do not do that! Let me finish and you spend much needed time with Lord Kuchiki and the royal children."

"Don't be silly, Tsukasa," I said with my hands on my hips. However, Byakuya grabbed my shoulders and manoeuvred me out of the kitchen, ignoring my protests, "Byakuya, let me go back in the kitchen!"

"No, Tsukasa is quite correct," he said sternly, "You're Lady Kuchiki and kitchen work does not befit your status as a noble lady, Sara, spend time with your family."

I rolled my eyes and nodded as I knelt down at my table. Rukia sighed and smiled, "This is nice, isn't it? The Kuchiki family sitting around the table like this…it's quite nostalgic."

Byakuya nodded in response and knelt down beside me. He rested a hand on my thigh and I placed my hand on his hand in response, lacing my fingers within his. Reina strained to see our interlaced hands and she sighed.

"When I grow up, I want a husband like my daddy," Reina said dreamily. Byakuya and I looked at each other, "I want him to love me dearly."

"I am sure that you will find such a husband, Reina," I said with a warm smile, "Your father will have a hand in it, I am sure."

"Why can't I choose my own husband, mummy, as you chose yours?"

"You will marry well, Reina," Byakuya answered, "For love or otherwise."

"You chose your own wife and she's from the Rukongai," Reina said, "You still love her very much."

"I am not talking of status, Reina," Byakuya replied, "I am talking of character and personality. I do not want my first born child married to a rogue and a flatterer."

"You must understand, Reina, we only want the best for you and, although it is a little early to discuss as you are only eight years old, we wish you to marry for love as we do for all of you. We just want someone who can support you and be a good wife or husband."

Reina sighed and turned to Takuma, "Do you want to get married?"

"Married," he asked, startled, "Ugh! NO! Well, not yet anyway. I'm just a child."

"Indeed, he is right, Reina," I said softly, "Enjoy your childhood whilst you can as you will never get it back. Think nothing of marriage and love until you are truly ready."

"All right," Reina said as Hari climbed onto my lap. I removed my hand from Byakuya's and wrapped my arms around my youngest child. Tsukasa then came in with the full picnic basket.

"My lady, the picnic is ready," Tsukasa said with a large smile.

"Good, shall we leave," I said as stood up with Hari in my arms and Byakuya stood also, "Children, please help Tsukasa with the basket."

"Yes, mummy," they said as they raced over to my faithful maid.

"Thank you, your little lady and master," Tsukasa said with a smile. Rukia, who had remained silent, stood and walked over to me.

"Would you like me to take Hari," she asked.

"Would you mind? I don't want to burden you," I said but Rukia shook her head.

"No, I don't mind," she said as she took my young son into her arms. Hari kissed Rukia on the cheek and wrapped his arms and legs around her neck and waist.

"Auntie Rukia, I love you!"

"I love you too, Hari," Rukia said as she walked towards the door. Takuma clung to the picnic basket and wouldn't let Reina help him.

"No, Reina, I'm stronger than you," Takuma said haughtily.

"No, Takuma, I'm older than you so give me the basket," Reina argued.

"Oi, stop arguing you two," I cried, "You can take turns."

My children stopped their bickering immediately and looked up at me, "Sorry, mummy."

"Right, let's go before it gets dark," I said and we all walked out the door.

When we all went out towards the countryside, we chose a sunny spot on a hill underneath a tree. The children hastily ate their dinners and ran off, eager to play in the vast fields but Hari stayed attached to me, not wanting to be separated from me, "Play where we can see you."

"Yes, mummy!" they cried. I turned to my youngest child who was sitting on my legs quite happily whilst he was eating a small ham sandwich.

"Is that yummy, Hari," I asked. He nodded happily and stuffed the rest in his mouth.

"Yes, mummy," he said with a full mouth.

"Hari, don't speak with your mouth full," I lightly scolded. I took a damp cloth and wiped his mouth. Then, Reina ran over to us and grabbed Rukia's hand.

"Aunt Rukia, come and play with us! You too, Tsukasa," Reina cried. The two women looked at us for permission and we both nodded. They both stood up and followed the little princess into a game of her wild imagination. I brought Hari into my lap so that he could lean his head back against my chest.

"I want to enjoy these carefree moments while we all can," I commented. Byakuya wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple, "We don't know how long this will go on."

"I know you do," Byakuya said as he rested his cheek against the side of my head.

3rd Person

Meanwhile, as the children played, Takuma ran off in a direction behind a tree. They were playing hide and seek, a favourite of his. As he did so, he bumped into something, or rather, someone. He had fallen on top of them.

"Hey, watch where you're going! You're hurting me," the person said haughtily.

"Sorry," Takuma said as he picked himself up. He straightened his clothes and decided to take a good look at the person he had knocked over. It was a girl, "I'm sorry," he said in a squeakier voice than before.

"It's okay," she said and sniffed.

"My name is Takuma Kuchiki, prince of the noble Kuchiki family," he said extending it to her. The little girl blinked and placed her smaller hand in his.

"My name is Airi, a street rat from the Rukongai," she said in a small voice. Appearance wise, she was slightly smaller than he was and she had long chocolate brown and emerald green eyes. Her pretty little face was covered in dirt and her tattered, lavender coloured kimono suggested that she was not from these parts of the Rukongai.

"Do you have a family name," Takuma asked and Airi shook her head.

"I don't have a family."

"Oh…so you died and came here then," Takuma asked and Airi nodded.

"I didn't have much to eat and the next thing I knew, I was here," she said, indicating that she had died of starvation. Takuma blinked.

"Hey, do you want to be friends," Takuma asked and a small smile crept across her face and nodded vigorously.

"Sure!"

"Well, would it make you feel better if I asked my daddy if you can live with us," Takuma asked. Airi looked up at him with wide eyes.

"I couldn't do that," Airi said, shocked, "I've only just met you and you've only just met me!"

"I know," Takuma said, "I know…but still, if you don't have a home, then you should live with us! My mummy and daddy are really nice!"

"But still," Airi didn't get enough time to answer as Takuma grabbed her hand and dragged over to his parents who were eating with Hari and keeping him happy.

"Mummy, Daddy, this is Airi," Takuma said happily.

"Oh, have you made a friend, my dear," Sara asked as she looked up. Her eyes widened and she blinked at the cowering young girl, "Hello, don't be shy, Airi! We won't bite," Sara beckoned the little girl forward and Airi complied, "What district are you from, sweetheart?"

"District 80," Airi answered in a small voice. Sara gasped sharply.

"District 80," Sara gasped, "My goodness, Airi, you have come a long way, haven't you?"

"Can she stay with us," Takuma blurted out, "I like her and she's my friend."

"We cannot take in anyone just because we feel like it, Takuma," Byakuya said sternly. Sara turned to Byakuya and scowled at him.

"Byakuya, don't be so cruel," Sara hissed and she turned back to Airi, "Do you have a family you need to return to?"

"No, Lady," she replied, "I have no parents. They are still in the World of the Living."

Sara blinked and struggled to hold back her tears, "I'm not having you go back to District 80! It's a lawless and dangerous place! You're coming home with us."

"Sara, we cannot just-" Sara elbowed Byakuya in the ribs, causing him to hiss in pain.

"I know… but we cannot just abandon her… especially when Takuma seems to have made an attachment to this girl," Sara said, "I know our current house is small but she can stay with us… if you would like to, Airi?"

Airi smiled slightly, "You really don't mind?"

"I was the Rukongai too, Airi, I know what it is like… to be alone, homeless and hungry," Sara said as she secured a lock of hair behind Airi's ear.

Byakuya was about to speak again but Sara placed a hand on his mouth, "We'll discuss this when we get back."

Byakuya glared at her and pulled away, "Fine, but you haven't heard the end of it."

Sara smiled and turned back to the girl, "He'll come round, dearest… perhaps you could be of help to Tsukasa, our servant! I mean… Tsukasa has to do all the work herself and it would be useful to her if she had some extra help. Would that be agreeable to you, Byakuya?"

Byakuya turned back to us, "As long as she doesn't expect to bear my family name, I don't care."

Sara narrowed her eyes at him before pulling out a comb from her bag, "Turn around, Airi, I will brush your hair for you."

Airi did as she was told and turned around. Sara teased and brushed out the tangles from the shiny, chocolate brown hair and pulled it back into a plat down her back, "Don't you look beautiful, eh? Do you agree, Takuma?"

"Very pretty," Takuma replied.

"We'll give you a proper wash when we go home," Sara said as she placed her comb back in her purse. Airi nodded, "Why don't you now go and play? I need to talk to your father, Takuma, take Airi and play."

"Yes, mummy," he said as he took Airi's hand and took her off to play with the others.

"In fact, I'll join you," she said as she abruptly handed Hari to Takuma. With that she ran off, not wanting to hear any of Byakuya's protests.

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