He stopped in front of a large sliding door at the end of one of the many branching corridors after climbing up a set of stairs. He slid the door open with his foot and walked in slowly. The room was dark, but upon us entering the room, it was lit with a dim golden light. It was quite big, with an ornamental cupboard and a wardrobe. I stretched my head round his arm and saw the most beautiful bed. It was massive, at least the size of my small bedroom at least. The sheets were crisp, white silk with golden embroidery at the bottom and top. It was a four-poster with white nets hanging down from each side, each of the posts meticulously carved from a light coloured wood. I was so enraptured with the sight of the bed, I didn't notice that I was now standing on my own in the doorway. Half of the wall opposite me was made of glass. Transfixed, I walked towards it. There was a large balcony beyond the sliding glass, and beyond that was something even more stunning. A vast expanse of grass stretched out before me, surrounded by a throng of trees. I imagined that in the sunlight everything would be a light green, so crisp it would look like it had never been touched.
I looked behind me and saw him patiently waiting for me. I blushed at the intensity of his gaze.
"Please wait here," he said, leaving the room without making a sound. I noticed that I was still wearing his haori from the weight pressing down on my shoulders. It was trailing on the floor because of our difference in height. I cautiously took it off and walked up to the bed. I approached the right side and drew the net to one side. It separated in the middle, the material running through my fingers quickly. I noticed a tie at the bottom post and attached it to the net. I laid the Haori at the end of the bed and sat down on it. The mattress was so comfortable I would have fallen asleep right then, but I realised that it would have been rude to fall asleep in Captain Kuchiki's house when he was getting me some food. I unwillingly left the bed and walked around the room to the ornate cupboard. I ran my fingers through the elaborate grooves in the wood. Curious, I opened the doors.
The shelves were bare apart from the one in the middle. Plum blossom petals were scattered around a picture of a woman. She had black hair that curved around her petite face. Her large eyes were a pale shade of violet. Overall she had a very pretty face, but she looked as if she was plagued with illness. This must have been Hisana Kuchiki, I thought. I picked up one of the plum blossoms, it felt fresh. I took one last look at the picture with sorrow. She was very young, no older than me yet she had died. I closed the doors and walked slowly to the wardrobe. I opened the doors and was nearly overwhelmed with the smell of cinnamon. I noticed on the floor of the wardrobe was a bundle of cinnamon sticks tied together with a red ribbon. There were at least fifteen shihakusho hung up with another two haori. I pressed my face into the clothes, breathing in the scent of Captain Kuchiki. I closed the doors and walked back over to the glass. My wound was throbbing slightly when it struck me. I hadn't actually looked at it yet.
I peeled the gown back, afraid of seeing some grotesque red scar. I blinked than looked at my stomach. There was a scar, but it was so faint that I had trouble seeing it. It was in the shape of a crescent moon just beneath my navel, it was a very light pink like it had been healing for years rather than just three days. Captain Unohana was a miracle worker, I would have to thank her. I touched it carefully, my fingers ready to pull back at any second if it flared up in pain. It was cold, a few degrees colder than the skin around it. I frowned, than remembered the way it had been inflicted. The stranger had his claws laced with poison. I shivered and wrapped my gown around me again, tightening the sash that held it together.
I rubbed my forearms and turned around to see Captain Kuchiki in the door way holding a square plate covered in food. I smiled at him as he walked over to the bed and sat down, his eyes never left my face, as if he was admiring a beautiful sculpture. I sat next to him and took the plate of food from his hand. It had purple grapes, a slice of cheese, buttered bread and a small glass of wine. It smelt mouth-wateringly delicious. I looked back at him and his eyes were filled with a sort of curious surprise. He looked away for a few seconds and then looked back.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, touching his arm. He sighed and looked out onto the balcony.
"Please eat," he said in an anxious voice. He got up and slid the glass door open and stood on the balcony, leaning against the railings. I frowned and began to eat. The food was so simple, yet it was amazingly delicious. The bread was soft and warm and the butter melted in my mouth. The grapes tasted crisp and clean, and the cheese tasted smoky and mellow. I washed it all down with the pale yellow wine. The moment it touched my tongue, there was a soft explosion of fruit. I finished the glass and put it and the plate carefully on the floor. I then walked out to join Captain Kuchiki on the moonlit balcony.