"And what have you decided, Byakuya-sama?"

"I have decided..."

The screen door shot open as Helena entered. Two servants were holding on to her until her sudden movement threw both of them on their backs. As her arms came down, a tiny crimson dot appeared on the side of her kimono and rapidly became a growing stain on the bright white fabric.

"Helena!"

Byakuya rushed next to her failing figure. She has not yet recovered fully. Her muscles screamed in pain beneath his touch. "Why are you here? You are not well."

"Do not play coy with me! This meeting is about me, isn't it?" Anger appeared in her tone. Helena looked toward the elders who were eyeing her intently. "What is this meeting about? ANSWER ME!"

"Helena-sama, we do not wish to upset you..." Toshi made a reply.

"Well, you did. --The dark iris flared up-- Tell me, your Mistress, what is this meeting about?"

"About our divorce, Helena." Byakuya answered. His expression grew stale as she turned around and looked at him.

Chapter 25: Hearts

The air was suffocating. Kuchiki Byakuya felt his wife's anger burning a hole inside him—her skin was as pale as sap and her eyes as sharp as knives. Then she raised her left hand, pointing toward the door, and said to the elders:

"I need to speak with my husband privately."

"Helena-sa..."

"OUT!!!" She roared, and they all left the room in an instant.

"Tsk, I hope Byakuya-sama does not let Helena-sama sway him from his decision." One of the elders spoke.

"We haven't learned of his decision yet, Kana-san. --the youngest elder reminded his senior-- And what are you thinking about, Toshi-san?"

The one closet to the Head Master, Kuchiki Toshi, was deep within his thought. His gray hair combed neatly behind his ears, and his hands hidden inside his sleeves. "I'm thinking... It is such a shame that Helena-sama cannot be our mistress."

"Is it true? Are you planning to divorce me?"

"Are your wounds still bleeding?" His heart tightened.

"You are. —she disregarded his question— You want to divorce me now that I have nothing else to offer you or your clan."

"Helena..."

The pressure increased in her chest. It hurts.

"Be careful, Helena. You're still weak!" He rushed to her side.

"I despise you."

Her words cut into his heart. I despise you. For a moment, his mouth lost its serenity and shook with emotions, then everything compressed into sorrow that embedded in the deep grey eyes.

"I know you do. That is why I'm giving you back your liberty."

"What do you mean?"

"You never wanted this marriage, and you were never happy. I want to make it up to you."

"By disgracing me? By driving me out of your clan with nothing?"

"You will retain your noble status, and I will make sure that you have everything you want or need."

His answer silenced her for a while. Then a solemn voice rolled out of her tongue.

"You really want to divorce me, don't you?"

Please, don't look at me that way. He folded both hands behind his back—resisting the urge of holding her in his arms. "It is for the best."

A lantern went out.

He watched her walking to and fro across the bedchamber, her eyes wandering across every inch—the soft sounds of her steps that would later fade into shadow, her scent of eternal spring that would later disappear into void. Kuchiki Byakuya could not bring himself to finish the simple haiku on the open page.

She climbed onto their bed, but did not lay down. Instead, she jerked the book out of his hands and threw it to the corner.

"What is the matter?"

"Do not pretend like you are reading. I know you are watching me!"She is always quick with answers. He chuckled. "Do you find this amusing?"

He smiled at her fuming. I will miss you terribly, Helena. He tried to avoid reminding himself that he was in love with her, that after tonight she would no longer be his wife, that tomorrow he would have to officially announce their separation.

"Why are you smiling?" No, I'm not smiling at all.

He reached out his hand and pulled her closer to him. Pressed her against his body, Byakuya sighed—his hands smooth over her curves. He felt their soft texture beneath the silk and their tingles at his caress. Then he placed a kiss on her shoulder.

"Will you miss me?" Her question was mellow, and yet it had such yearning in each syllable. Suddenly they both realized how real this marriage was, and how much their lives had weaved around it.

"Yes." He muttered under his breath and hugged her tighter. His heart ached.

Pushing away the jet black hair, Helena looked into the eyes of the man she loved—grey and clear and crisp like dynamite: the color vibrated in the glowing light of the night-lamp. She kissed him, shyly at first, but the mouth against hers were patient and instructive. He sat still as she placed small kisses across the curve of his mouth before pressing their lips together in a victorian kiss.

"This is the first time you yourself ever kiss me." He said. An odd happiness blossomed.

She kissed him again, and this time Byakuya leaned in, lending some movements. He did not expect how soft her lips were, or how much he longed for her after a month of celibacy. Excitement rushed from the base of his spine to his head as she gently sucked on his lips. Helena. He kissed her harder, coursing her mouth to open, and thrust his tongue inside. When he broke off the kiss, he did not know if it were he or she who had groaned in frustration.

"You shouldn't have done that." Now it is impossible for me to not have you. Kuchiki Byakuya turned away. I can't...no, we can't do this. "It's late. You need sleep."

Her third kiss persuaded him successfully: their lips crushed into one another with passion as Helena pushed her husband down onto their bed. Byakuya chuckled inside his mind. This is the first time a woman has pushed me down. His body shuddered with desire when the sight of her appeared after the sleeping kimonos were tossed aside. He touched the left side of her body, and stopped:

"Does it still hurt?" His eyes were intent. "Maybe we should not do this..."

To answer his question, her hand caressed lower. Anticipation ran through him as her hand passed over his chest and his abdomen. Her touch was exquisite. "I really have missed you, Helena." It was the last thing he remembered saying before a feeling of enrapture came over his senses. They were joined in the timeless dance of creation.

She felt full, like a long craving that has finally been fed. The friction between sweaty skins, and hungry hands, and wet kisses, how could one love so well without being in love? Byakuya.Underneath her palm she heard the beautiful rhythm of his heart. It told her that he loved her. That He Loved Her. But the heart is deceitful sometimes.
Byakuya lay next to the woman he loved, her chest inflating and deflating in deep sleep. Maybe in the morning he would take her to the river. They would lie inside the boat and let it float downstream—watching the cherry blossoms trees dwelling on either side of the banks. They would share the same book; they would take turn reading the haiku out loud. They would even laugh.

He heard the first gong. Detestable morning. His eyes shifted back to the figure next to him: serene and blissful. He traced the thick and dark eyelashes, the succulent mouth, and the proud chin. He embraced her.

"I love you, Helena."

Kuchiki Byakuya whispered before sleep took him into its tender arms.

Five more gongs until morning.