Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. I only own Catalina, Vazquez, Eita Harada, Atsushi Harada and Catalina's spirits.
Fair warning major fluff in this chapter, enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Four: The Pendulum Swings Part 4
[Kat's POV]
[Byakuya's Room]
I slowly stir awake feeling soft fingertips running up and down along my bareback. A lazy smile slowly spread across my face as I slowly turn around to face the man responsible for the soft touches. Somewhat still half asleep I open my tire eyes making eye contact with a pair of amuse slate gray eyes. Giggling softly I pull my hand out from under the covers softly caressing his cheek.
"What are you doing up so early?" I whisper amuse, follow by a tire yawn.
I watch how a small smile spread across his face, that smile he only reversed for me when we were alone. Slowly he place his hand over mine, keeping it in place he slowly lean towards me, placing his other hand beside my head, supporting most of his weight.
"Just admiring the most beautiful woman in the world." He whisper huskily, leaning closer.
I smile timidly, feeling a faint blush creep onto my cheeks as he lean closer. I happily intertwine our fingers together as Byakuya's warmth sip through the sheets. I took a deep breath, inhaling the wonderful smell that is Byakuya Kuchiki. The butterflies in my stomach seem to come to life as a faint smell of cherry blossoms fill my nose. My eyes flutter close as I took in this moment, trying to remembering everything about this exact moment.
'Moments like these, when both Byakuya and I lose ourselves to each other, are my favorite.' I thought contently, grateful.
I slowly open my eyes again, losing myself in the pool of slate gray, "I love you Byakuya." I whisper breathlessly, tightening my grip on his hand before I let go.
Slowly I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer, our noses softly touching. Byakuya was the first to fully close the gap between us, his lips softly molding into mine. The kiss starts off sweet and tender at first but it slowly starts to turn into something more lustful. Slowly my eyes flutter shut as my fingers eagerly run through his silky black hair. Byakuya's lips leave mine, gently skimming their way down my jawline, throat and finally gently nibbling on my collarbone. A soft moan leaves my lips while I take a fist full of his hair tugging on it lightly.
Somewhat fluster I gently try to push Byakuya away with my free hand, "Byakuya, we don't have time for that. You have to be at the 6th division soon and I have to go home to get ready for the day." I state amiably, follow by a content sigh.
Byakuya swiftly stops what he's doing and looks at me thoughtfully, placing some of my curls behind my ear. I assume so he could get a better view of my face.
"W-what?" I question fluster, nervously.
"I love you." He simply whispers bluntly.
"I love you too." I reply tenderly, caressing his cheek again, deciding to stick to a simple gesture. "But we really should start getting ready." I add happily, my smile still present.
"What if you didn't have to leave in the mornings anymore?" Byakuya questions seriously.
I look at him blinking in confusion, trying to understand what he meant by that.
"I don't have any of my stuff here." I mutter still confuse about what was going on. "Even if I didn't leave, I wouldn't have any of my clothes here to change into." I reply perplex, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.
"What if all of your stuff were here too?" he fire back cunningly, placing his hand on my waist, gently drawing circles on my lower hip bone.
"Oh." I stutter nervously, "You mean like…live here, with you?" I question slowly, shyly licking my quickly drying lips, butterflies erupting in the pit of my stomach.
Byakuya just stares deeply into my slightly fearful bluish grayish eyes with his serious slate gray ones. I try looking for any sign of doubt in his eyes, but there wasn't. He knew exactly what he was asking me. He gently squeeze my hip, reassuring me everything would work out.
"Yes."
I stare at him wide-eye, clearly shock.
"You do realize you're asking me to move in with you!" I yell-whisper in hysteria, placing both of my hands on his shoulders, squeezing them tightly, just to make sure this was real.
"Catalina, I love you." Byakuya starts off seriously. "I want to be able to wake up to you every morning and just admire your beautiful face. I want your voice to be the first thing I hear every morning." He concludes in a uncharacteristically soft tone.
I stare at him flabbergast, lost for words. This is so unusual of him, I never thought that this is how he felt about us, or me for that matter. I mean, there were times I would picture what our future would hold for us, but, I never thought Byakuya thought about that as well.
I took a deep breath, looking at him bashfully, "What if you get tire of me?" I question meekly, averting my gaze from him and just stare at his muscular chest intently.
Byakuya remove his hand from my waist, gently placing them under my chin, with his fingers he softly lifts my head back up. Our gaze met once again and we just stare at each other intently.
"I will never grow tire of you." Byakuya states sternly. "You're my Catalina and I'm never letting you go."
I felt tears forming at Byakuya's words, a tearfully smile slowly spread across my face.
"Yes." I suddenly spoke up. "Yes, I'll move in with you!" I finally shout happily, wrapping my arms tightly around Byakuya's neck bringing him closer, and finally kiss him passionately.
'Our duties and plans for that day were quickly discarded away by that heated kiss. That kiss decided our plans for the day.'
[Time Skip – 5 Years Later]
[Kat's POV]
I sat on Byakuya's lap enjoying the warmth of the summer night, resting my forehead against his while I hum a soft tone into the silent night. I slowly took a deep breath, inhaling the wonderful smell of summer. A mixture of cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums flower filled my nose.
'This garden out of the many gardens in the Kuchiki manor is my favorite, especially when I'm alone here with Byakuya.' I thought contently, sighing happily.
I open slowly open my eyes gazing into Byakuya's eyes, he gently cup my cheek caressing it affectionately. He gently place a couple of lose strings of my hair behind my ear. I felt a faint blush creep onto my cheeks at the small gesture.
"I love you Catalina." Byakuya states simply.
I smile happily at his words, 'No matter how many times he says those three words to me. I'll never get tire of hearing him say them.'
Looking at him happily I reply back softly, "I love you too Byakuya and I'll always love you."
There were a brief seconds of silence between us as we stare at each other fondly. Suddenly Byakuya spoke up in somewhat nervous tone, a strange tone to hear come from him. But midway into my name it was quickly replace by his confident and determine tone, "Catalina Vazquez, will you marry me?"
I squeak of surprise lift my lips as I stare at him shock. I wasn't sure if I had hear him right or not. My mind was in overload as I try to comprehend what he just ask me. I felt my blood rushing to my cheeks, the unmistakably heat of a very bright blush spread across my cheeks. I couldn't seem to formulate a single word and just like that everything slowly starts to fade to black as I pass out.
[Nobody's POV]
Byakuya chuckle softly as he gently pull his passed out girlfriend, will fiancée, closer to his chest.
"I'll take that as a yes." He mumbles to himself happily.
[Time Skip – One Year Later]
[Kat's POV]
I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, threatening to slip out at any moment as I ran through Soul Society towards the 11th division. I quickly blink away the troublesome tears as I recall the horrible news I received a couple of minutes ago.
'Atsushi was dead… he was killed in action…' I thought miserably. 'I need to make sure Eita is ok!' I thought urgently, trying to run as fast as I could in this stupid kimono.
A yelp of surprise left my lips when I suddenly trip over something, but was quickly caught by someone. I look up at my rescuer and was shock to see a snickering Shinji. He swiftly balance me back onto my feet. I growl angrily at Shinji for laughing at me near death experience. I was about to angrily yell at him when I remember about Atsushi. I felt that pesky lump form in my throat once again as I look at Shinji sorrowfully.
"I'm sorry about Atsushi, Shinji." I whisper sadly, quickly embracing my friend into a hug. "I know you two were good friends dispute him being your 3rd seat."
Shinji laughs a heartless laugh, he solemnly taps my back and then pulls away, looking at the sky. His long blond hair blocking my view of the look his face was making, but his voice said it all, he was hurting over his friend.
"Atsushi, was an excellent man and a great soul reaper." Shinji simply spoke, monotony. He slowly look at me with a half-heart smile. "You should go check on Eita, last I hear he wasn't handling the news too well." Shinji comments somewhat worry.
I simply nod about to head off again when I feel a chilling shiver run down my spine, that's when I realize Aizen had been standing there the whole time. I politely bow at him, forcing a weak smile as I greet him, "Good afternoon Vice-Captain Aizen." I spoke curtly.
Aizen smiles back just as politely, bowing, "Good afternoon to you as well Lady Shihoin." He greets calmly, but I could still feel it. The sinister vibe about Aizen hasn't disappear once since I meet him 10 years ago.
"If you excuse me I have to get going." I excuse myself quickly and took off again towards the 11th division.
I quickly jog down the hallways making my way towards Eita's office, I suddenly hear loud crashing noises follow by loud yelling and sobbing at the distance, and suddenly dead silence. I skid to a stop by the open office door and was shock to see Eita laying on the floor unconscious.
"What did you do to him?!" I demand angrily, concern, my eyebrows furrowing in anger as I glare at Captain Kenpachi Kiganjo.
Kiganjo just seat lazily at his desk, tapping his enormous fingers on his desk impatiently as he glance at his unconscious Lieutenant. His dark eyes then glance around the practically destroy office. I look around at the destruction of the room concern, 'Had Eita done all this by himself?' I thought worriedly.
"He was trashing the whole place, as amusing as it was at first, he was going to end up hurting someone, mainly himself." Kiganjo grumble annoy, follow by a bored yawn. "Vice-Captain Eita Harada will be place under house arrest until further notice." He adds nonchalant as well.
"What?! Why?!" I demand angrily, my hands tightening into fists.
"Because he isn't thinking clearly right now Catalina."
I look up into the corner of the office surprise to see Byakuya standing there, he lean against the wall with his arms crossed. A stern look cover his face, his eyes were well guarded from any emotion that could give away what he was feeling at the moment. I stare at him surprise at how he could just stand there will his best friend was being arrested.
"What are you talking about?! He's just hurt that he lost his brother! You can't arrest him!" I scream in the break of hysteria, glaring at them both.
"He isn't being place in a cell. He is simply not allow to leave his room until he has had a chance to calm down Catalina. He needs to calm down and process things rationally." Byakuya calmly try to explain things, taking a few steps towards me, trying to calm me down. A look of concern flash through his eyes as he near me.
"This is ridiculous! He is fine!" I shout angrily, storming out of the room before Byakuya could say anything else to me.
'I'm so anger right now, I can't even speak to him without saying things I'll probably regret later. I need to talk to someone…' I thought disorientated as I ran off to the 12th division.
[12th Division]
[Nobody's POV]
Kat quickly stumble down the halls of the 12th division, her vision blur out by her tears. She finally reach Kisuke's office door slamming it open. Kisuke curiously peers out from behind stack of papers, books and looks at his best friend puzzle. He slowly takes in her distress look quickly standing up and made his way over to Kat. Kisuke looks at her concern, assessing the state she's in.
"Kat, what's wrong?" he question urgently, tightly embracing her into a hug as he leads her to a nearby chair.
Kat tries to calm down, furiously wiping away tears as she tries to explain to Kisuke what was going on and what had happen with Eita and Byakuya. As best as she could she tells him everything that happen with Eita at the 11th division and then with Byakuya.
"Can you believe it?! Byakuya actually had the audacity to arrest his best friend!" Kat shouts in outrage, Kisuke looks at her concern.
"Kat it'll be alright." Kisuke sighs nonchalantly, knowing that his friend is just overreacting about the whole situation at the moment.
She knew Byakuya had done the right thing by placing Eita under house arrest, this way he wouldn't hurt anybody or himself until he calms down. But Eita over the years has slowly become her friend, a bother figure even, she was just worry about him. But she shouldn't have been so rash about the way she treated Byakuya, she has no idea what Byakuya is going through at the moment. After all Eita is Byakuya's best friend as well. But right now she's too anger to think rationally herself.
"Kat, listen, everything will be ok." Kisuke assures his best friend softly, squeezing her shoulder once more for reassurance. "Let me make you some tea so you can calm down." Kisuke adds, whipping some of her reminding tears away from her puffy red eyes.
"Ok…" Kat whispers weakly, taking deep breaths as she tries to control her sobs.
He swiftly stands up making his way over to what looks like a homemade stove, he quickly pours Kat some tea and hands her the cup gently. Kat slowly takes the cup from Kisuke, taking deep breaths as she continues to try and calm down. Her bluish-grayish eyes look around his messy office, and she laughs silently at her friend's messy room. Kat takes a small sip of the hot tea, she instantly feels her tense muscles start to relax with the hot liquid.
Snuffling a little she looks up at Kisuke, "Where's Hiyori?" she gently asks her blond friend confuse. "I'm surprise she hasn't busted down your door demanding to know what's wrong." Kat adds, chuckling softly.
Kisuke suddenly sighs heavily, running a hand through his already messy hair worriedly, "I don't know if Byakuya has told you or not, but, people have been disappearing from the Rukon District. The 9th division along with their Captain where dispatch earlier this week to check out why people were disappearing." Kisuke took a deep breath and exhale uneasily.
Kat look at Kisuke nervously, suddenly getting another uneasy feeling about what he was talking about.
"Captain Muguruma reported back this morning that the search party he sent out earlier this week have also disappear. So they requested a member from the Research and Development Institute to gather simples and try to figure what is going on." Kisuke took another breath as he slowly stood up making his way back to his messy desk. "I myself would have gone but I have been really busy lately, so I sent the only other person I could trust, I sent Hiyori." Kisuke finish restlessly.
Kat froze, she sat their absolutely petrify, the cup of tea suddenly slip out of her hands making a loud stuttering noise as it made contact with the hard floor. Kat suddenly stood up, hyperventilating uncontrollably as she realize what was going on, she couldn't help but panic as the horrible feeling of dread and angst starts to consume her. She suddenly realize what was going to happen tonight.
'Aizen!' Kat thought agitated. 'Could Aizen have killed Atsushi?!' Kat wonder disparately, as tears start to pour out again.
She looks at Kisuke who had ran to her side, he gently places a hand on her shoulders trying to calm her down.
"What's wrong?" Kisuke demands concern, his eyes narrowing at his best friend.
Kat disparately tries to find her voice. She so disparately wants to tell Kisuke what was going on. She needs to tell him that he needs to go save Hiyori right now. That he needs to stop all the Captains from going. But she couldn't, the only thing that came out where more tears and loud sobs. Then it felt like she was choking on her own air. She couldn't breathe, it felt like air wasn't coming in fast enough for her. She was going into a full blown out panic attack.
"Kat, listen to me, you need to calm down!" Kisuke spoke sternly. "I can't understand what you're trying to say."
Kisuke silently curse to himself, he jog over to his desk rummaging through his desk. He look up when he hear someone slam open the door, Byakuya stood at the door panting softly. Byakuya quickly look around the room and saw the hyperventilating Kat. His slate gray eyes furrow in concern as he ran to her side taking her into a tight embrace, trying to calm her down.
"Catalina, please, calm down! You're going to hurt yourself!" Byakuya plead sternly, worriedly.
Kisuke suddenly appears beside Kat, he swiftly injects her neck with a gold liquid. Kat suddenly stops moving, falling limb into Byakuya's arms. Kat tries so hard to fight the slowly growing darkness away. She couldn't fall asleep. She didn't want to fall asleep. She needs to warn them. She needs to save them.
"Save them…." Kat whispers sorrowfully before passing out.
Byakuya looks at the passed out Kat shock, he then glares at Kisuke angrily.
"What did you do to her?!" Byakuya demands angrily.
"I injected her with a heavy sedative. She would have hurt someone or worse; herself if she didn't calm down. She should wake up in a couple of hours more relax. You should take her home so she can rest." Kisuke spoke seriously not bothering to take notice of Byakuya's hostility or rudeness.
He did what he needed to do to keep his friend safe.
Byakuya scoffs angrily, but gives a small nod of understanding as he gently picks Kat up bride style. He carries her out of the 12th division towards the Kuchiki manor.
Kisuke watches Byakuya leave the room with his fragile best friend, he sighs heavily running his hand through his unkempt hair once more. Kat's last words weighing heavily on his mind, he has a bad feeling about tonight.
'Kat…who do I have to save?' Kisuke wonders frustrate with such small amount of information.
[Byakuya's & Kat's Room]
[Nobody's POV]
Byakuya walk into their room and gently place Kat onto their bed so she could rest. He sighs heavily taking a sit down next to her. Softly he tucks some of her hair behind her ear, gently caressing her cheek. Byakuya then sighs angrily as he pulls his hand away from Kat, he runs it through his hair pulling on it in frustration.
First his best friend and now the woman he loves. It felt like his day couldn't get any worse.
Suddenly before Byakuya could willow in his own despair there was a sharp knock on the door. Byakuya mumbles a simple, "come in" just as his grandfather walks into the room. First thing Ginrei takes notice of is Kat's condition. He realizes Kat didn't take Eita's arrest well. He then looks at his distress grandson, sighing softly he makes his way towards him. Gently placing his hand on his grandson's shoulder squeezing it tightly, assuring him everything will be fine.
"I take it she didn't take it well when she hear Eita was placed under house arrest?" Ginrei questions simply, Byakuya nods solemnly. "Byakuya, you mustn't worry so much about them. They are both strong people and will be fine after a good night of resting." Ginrei assures Byakuya confidently. "Now come Byakuya, an important Captain meeting has been call for as well as a Vice Captain meeting of your own." He explains plainly making his way out of the room, giving his grandson space.
Byakuya growls angrily as he glances at Kat miserably. He didn't want to leave her side right now, but his duties as a soul reaper were priority as well right now. He knows she'll be safe her in the room, but he still doesn't wish to leave her side. Leaning over unwillingly he kisses her goodbye gently on the lips.
"I love you Catalina, I'll be back soon." He whispers softly, standing up he makes his way out of the room.
He glances one last time at Kat's sleeping form from the door. An uneasy feeling of regret slowly swipes through Byakuya as he closes the door to their room and flash steps to the meeting.
[To be Continued]
Surprise guys! Early Christmas present from your beloved author! I know a lot of you guys wanna kill me for not updating in months and must hate me, lol! But bare with me guys I haven't given up on the story, just you know life. But any who just a few things to say.
1. Seems some of you guys would like the rating change, but others like it just the way it is. I'll be taking all of your opinions into consideration as I go further into the story. But do let me know what you guys thought of this chapter with all the fluff, smut and drama.
2. And like always thank you so much to my lovely readers for keeping with the story and reviewing. I just want you guys to know your reviews, favorites and follows mean the world to me. It's keeps me writing and trying to keep this story regularly updated, I don't want you guys to be left wondering what ever happen to Kat, Ichigo and Byakuya. I know I hardly reply to your reviews, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, I really do guys, so thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support and love! :D
Until next update my lovely readers and happy early Holidays!