Hello there, it's been a very long time for this story of mine to get an update, hasn't it? 1 year and 3 months to be precise. "Demons from My Past" has been updated with a new chapter this very day, woohoo! I apologize for my really prolonged delay in updating this story, but as I have mentioned many times before, real life comes first, if it takes up too much time, leisure writing takes a bit of a backseat.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has been reviewing this story, it really really motivates me to get this completed, seeing how many of you are still waiting (I don't know how many of the older readers I have left - those who have been with me since I was a medical student and writing the first few chapters of Demons :D). Thank you, and hope you keep the feedback coming! :)
I would also like to introduce a new story I have started, for those who haven't noticed it yet. It's a ByaRuki fic set in an alternate Bleach universe, where Rukia does not start out as a soul in the Rukongai but rather a normal human in the real world. And then she gets sacrificed to a certain Shinigami (heh!), and the ball starts rolling. XD It's called "My Husband is A Death God", and currently has 5 chapters and counting. I have been updating that one, because there's plenty of lovely ideas to play with. So hope you give it a read if you haven't... and let me know what you think. :)
Also, I have a new Youtube video up on my account, it's my very first completed ByaRuki AMV, I thought it turned out pretty nicely. Search for it under my Youtube account evenstarlady88 or using the tag words 'Snowflake', 'Byakuya', 'Rukia', 'ByaRuki' or something along those lines. :D Have fun watching!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or its characters. I own this story 'Demons from My Past' and its plot.
You might have to re-read the last chapter to see where it left off. I sure did. XD
The sunlight filtered in through the black curtains, casting bright pools of warmth onto the bed covers, where a couple was blissfully entangled in.
"Rukia, time to wake up," Byakuya whispered into her ear as Rukia grunted slightly in her sleep. Unable to control himself, he softly kissed her ear before trailing his lips down to her neck. "Wake up… sleepyhead." Byakuya's deep voice was husky.
"Hmmm…" Byakuya's eyes widened as Rukia shifted slightly and wrapped her arms around Byakuya before pulling herself closer to him. She nestled her head into his chest and continued sleeping. "Hmmm… mmmm…"
Byakuya chuckled. It was a good thing that it was the start of the weekend, because it meant he did not have to go to work. But even if it wasn't, he would not be going to work anyway, not with Rukia being so irresistible like this.
It had been his birthday yesterday, and it had been his best ever yet. Rukia had cooked him dinner and went out of her way to dress so beautifully for him (and Byakuya knew she had been uncomfortable doing so, but she had looked so damn sexy while at it), and they had made love as never before all through the night.
'She must be tired,' The Incubus mused, playing with her hair as she slept next to him. One of her arms was possessively linked around his waist, and the sight pleased him a lot. But he would have to get up soon, his hunger for her was sated now… but it didn't mean he wasn't going to feed her properly in return.
Byakuya was going to cook breakfast.
"Something smells really good." Byakuya smiled as he heard Rukia's voice behind him.
'If she only knew what she was talking about,' Byakuya thought amusedly as he inhaled the intoxicating scent of his lover. But the Incubus decided to fight the temptation and continue cooking the food, Rukia was sure to be hungry and she needed as much nourishment as possible.
"Good morning." Byakuya turned around to see Rukia, who stood in his office shirt. Personally, he had always loved it when she wore his clothes.
"Good morning." Rukia smiled back as she ran a hand through her hair. She was looking rather energetic, the amount of time she took to recover from Sacred Exchanges was getting shorter and shorter, Byakuya presumed that her body was starting to adapt to the exchange of energy.
"When is graduation?" Byakuya asked as he scooped the hot food into two plates.
Rukia looked up in surprise as she was setting the table, and then her pretty face split into a happy smile. "In less than three months! Time flies, doesn't it?"
"It does," Byakuya remarked quietly as he gazed at his girlfriend. He brought the food to the table, and they sat next to each other for breakfast. "Where do you plan to apply to?"
"I was thinking of Nagoya's official medical research center, it would be nice to be a research fellow there. Or there would be companies that require research-"
"Like Azaris." Byakuya sipped his coffee, as Rukia's eyes widened.
"Really?" She sounded skeptical.
Byakuya chuckled. "Yes, but mostly it is underground research based on Incubi and Succubi. We mostly do research on lifespans and the health of our kind, and expansion of abilities, power and such." Byakuya lifted his grey eyes to look at Rukia. "But if you apply to join Azaris, I will personally set up a department just for your use."
Rukia laughed. "I am really flattered but I will have to say no thank you, Mister Kuchiki."
Byakuya leaned forward across the table so his nose was mere inches from Rukia's. "You know… I really like it when you refuse me."
"And why is that?" Rukia leaned closer to her lover, challenging him with happy eyes.
"Ordinarily I would be offended if it was any other person…" Byakuya replied softly as he reached out one hand to caress Rukia's cheek. "But when you do it…" That hand moved to her lips, and Byakuya used his thumb to lazily stroke her lower lip.
"… it's just so damn…" He leaned in closer.
"… arousing." Byakuya kissed Rukia softly on the lips, his hand now gently cupping her face. He felt her smile into the kiss, and then their tongues were entangling together, fighting for dominance as the kiss became more passionate.
The couple finally broke apart for air, and Rukia chuckled as she resumed eating. "Don't distract me from my food, Byakuya."
The Incubus only smiled as he lifted his own spoon. "I will be a bit busy at the start of the coming week. Maybe two or three days at most, to secure a contract. And then… let's do something special during the weekend."
Rukia nodded, and swallowed her food. "Don't worry about me, I will drop by your office during the free time. And weekend sounds great."
xXxXx
"I want the two reports on my table in an hour," Byakuya instructed his secretary Hisagi as they made their way along the walkway. "And a cup of coffee, no sugar."
"Hai, Mister Kuchiki." The junior Incubus bowed and walked away in the opposite direction. Byakuya continued on his way as he silently outlined the plans he had for the day. It was the start of a new week. There would be two rewriting of documents, and then the final drafting of the contract and the presentation. It should all fall in place as planned.
"Hey, Byakuya!"
Byakuya continued walking, as his assistant Abarai Renji joined him. "Abarai."
"So how was your birthday?"
"Good."
"Did you like your present? Hey, Matsumoto and I planned it! Even though Rukia was tasked with the performance!" Renji chuckled slightly.
"Arigato."
"So… how good was it?" Renji wiggled his eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" Byakuya's reply was cold.
"You know what I am talking about!" The red-haired Incubus sneered. "How many hours? How many times? How many… positions?"
"While I might be grateful for your involvement in my birthday gift preparation, I believe my personal issues… still remain my own."
Renji rolled his eyes, and started to grumble. "As always, you can be such a-"
"Five."
"W-What?" Renji frowned in confusion.
Byakuya turned his head slightly, his expression emotionless. "Five hours."
The assistant's eyes immediately lit up, as a wide cheeky smile curled his lips. "Oh man, REALLY? FIVE freakin' hours? Man, you are the best, Byakuya! Couldn't let the poor chick rest, could you?"
Before Byakuya could reply, a sharp female voice interjected. "Couldn't let who rest?"
"Rangiku!" Renji almost shouted in excitement. "Come and listen to this!"
"Matsumoto." Byakuya nodded at his other close friend, as the busty Succubus dressed in a figure-hugging purple dress sauntered over. She immediately became engaged in a fierce whisper with the red-haired Incubus.
"Oh my God really, Byakuya? That's so great! How's Rukia?"
"She's good," Byakuya replied as they turned a corner, heading to his office suite.
"Is she tired?" Matsumoto winked at Renji.
"Initially… but she's fine now." Behind him, Byakuya's friends gleefully gave each other high fives.
They arrived at Byakuya's office suite, he pushed the door open and entered. The sunlight from the huge glass panels shone brightly into the suite… and the cold slate eyes widened.
The young Kuchiki heir immediately knelt, his head bowed down. Renji and Matsumoto, who had been bickering behind him, looked up and immediately fell to their knees.
"The current Kuchiki leader shall not bow to the previous." The old voice spoke.
Byakuya still maintained his position, his knees on the carpeted floor of his office suite. His grey eyes were trained keenly on the pair of shiny polished black shoes in front of him so alike his own, as they slowly approached him.
"Byakuya."
"Grandfather." Byakuya's voice was emotionless, as he continued to bow his head.
"Come. Let me have a good look at you." A wrinkled hand offered itself to Byakuya's eyes. Understanding, Byakuya nodded and slowly got to his feet. Behind him, Renji and Matsumoto continued to bow their heads.
Kuchiki Ginrei placed both his hands on the younger Kuchiki's shoulders as he looked at his only grandson. Byakuya was taller than Ginrei but the older Kuchiki had an aura of his own. His long hair and moustache were all white now, but the wrinkles around the older Incubus's face belied the centuries of power and knowledge in the previous leader of the Kuchiki clan.
Ginrei allowed a small smile to paint his usually strict lips. "I have heard of the wonderful progress Azaris has made in the last months. It seems my decision for early retirement… might just be my best decision yet."
"Grandfather, you will always be the pillar of Azaris... and our clan. Do not say that."
Ginrei's smile got a little wider. "Humility is not necessary in a Kuchiki. I am giving credit where it is due. You have done very well, my grandson."
Byakuya bowed his head, and then turned to his assistants who still knelt before Ginrei. "Send a message to the clan. Arrange a grand dinner for the return of Lord Ginrei."
"Hai!" Renji and Matsumoto bowed and quickly exited the office suite.
"So… how has your life been, Byakuya?" Ginrei asked as he walked over to the glass panel window, Byakuya following behind him.
"Work has been busy, we are going to attempt to seal another important contract in two days. And I will have to discuss with you about a recent alliance I have formed with the Schiffer clan-
"I am well aware of that."
Byakuya's grey eyes widened. Ginrei continued to look out the glass window, his back to his grandson.
"I will not question the nature of how that alliance came about, I was admittedly rather skeptical when I first heard about it. Demons…" Ginrei let out a soft sigh. "… we can never trust except our own. However, I have heard of the favourable returns of that new partnership and it seems your judgement has yet to fail you, Byakuya."
Byakuya kept silent.
"But enough about work. How about your life in general?"
"I have been well." Images of her soft black hair and happy violet eyes flashed through Byakuya's mind, and his own grey eyes softened. "Grandfather… I am currently involved with someone."
Silence followed the revelation.
"Indeed." Ginrei finally spoke. "And she must be a wonderful one, for you to cancel your wedding to Kiyowara Hisana. We are lucky, Byakuya, that their clan did not decide to pursue us for such impropriety."
The statement confirmed what Byakuya had suspected; that Kuchiki Ginrei had indeed known about everything all along.
"The wedding proposal was my mistake, a reckless act. I had apologized to the Kiyowara clan, and they had been very generous to me." Byakuya paused. Yes, he remembered how the Kiyowara clan had reacted, Byakuya had been surprised at the lack of anger, instead there was only sad acceptance. "But the woman I have by my side… is a remarkable one indeed."
"And who might this wonderful woman be?" Ginrei finally turned around to face his grandson.
The Kuchikis locked eyes on each other.
"Ukitake Rukia." As he spoke her name, Byakuya felt the warmth in his body grow, that sense of comfort and love that had always accompanied her presence in his life. "A human girl."
Ginrei's eyes narrowed slightly. "So I have heard. And did no one reproach you for it? I expected Retsu to do better."
"Plenty did, Unohana-sensei especially." Byakuya replied. "And for the longest time. I had so many doubts then, but I have none with me today thankfully. Shall I bring her for a private dinner with you this weekend?"
This time, Ginrei's eyes widened slightly. But then he nodded curtly. "I look forward to it."
xXxXx
"The fish stew is really good." Ukitake smiled as he took an appreciative sip.
"Then have some more." Rukia eagerly pushed the bowl toward her father, her violet eyes bright.
"You spoil your old man, Rukia." Ukitake chuckled. He looked up, fixing his daughter with kind eyes. "How are things between you and Byakuya-san?"
Rukia had told everything about the relationship between Byakuya and herself to her beloved father, ever since finding out that Ukitake had his own romantic past with Unohana Retsu. She had given all the details of their first meeting, down to their current status. Rukia was embarrassed, but she did not want to hide anything from her father any longer, and Ukitake accepted everything with kindness and understanding.
"Things are good." Rukia took up a prawn with her chopsticks. "Actually, Byakuya is going to bring me for dinner with his family. His grandfather has just returned to Azaris."
Ukitake looked up, his eyes suddenly wary. "Kuchiki Ginrei?"
"Oh? You know him?"
Ukitake nodded. "Kuchiki Ginrei… is one of the smartest, most powerful Incubi in the Kuchiki clan. He is a dangerous demon, manipulative and very good with mind games. The only thing he detests more than demons not from his own clan… are humans."
Rukia's eyes widened, as Ukitake continued.
"He came between me and Retsu many, many times. His men came over with promises of money and career luxuries, if I were just to agree never to see her again. And when I refused to comply, he switched to force." Ukitake craned his neck to let his young daughter see the thin jagged scar line across his left neck. "Eventually when he could not budge me, he switched to Retsu and preyed on her insecurities."
Rukia nodded, her eyes wide.
"I had always told him and his clan, I will only stop seeing Retsu… if it was she who wished for it, not anyone else."
Rukia smiled slightly. "You were very strong, Otousan."
Ukitake reached out to grip his daughter's hand. "And that is why… you don't let your guard down in front of Kuchiki Ginrei." Ukitake continued. "I won't tell you not to go to the dinner, I know Byakuya-san is more than competent to keep you safe. Just… be careful."
Rukia nodded. "Hai, Otousan."
xXxXx
"You look beautiful tonight."
Byakuya gazed down at his lover, and watched as her cheeks start to colour in that adorable way whenever she was embarrassed.
How fascinating, no matter how many times I have seen her this way.
"Thank you. The dress-"
"If you continue to insist on paying me back, I am going to kiss you right here, right now," Byakuya spoke in his cool, emotionless tone.
"And then we won't be making it to the dinner," Rukia threatened him, but her violet eyes were shining with amusement.
"That would be… a small price to pay," Byakuya spoke softly as his grey eyes darkened slightly in lust. The Incubus lifted his right hand to caress the side of Rukia's bare arm.
He watched as her violet eyes widen at the sudden contact, looking like bright jewels in her face. She was so beautiful tonight, the sleeveless dark red satin dress hugged her modest curves, and ended just above her knees. Her hair was fashioned into a bun at the back, leaving the eternally stubborn bang in the middle.
"Come." Byakuya offered his right arm to Rukia, who smiled and readily accepted it to ascend the steps to the grand hall of the mansion. The sprawling mansion was the formal residence of the head of the Kuchiki clan, spanning countless acres and staffed by a hundred servants.
"I have not lived here for decades," Byakuya remarked coolly as he surveyed the stone statues of demons at the entrance.
"Why not?" Rukia looked up in surprise.
"I very much prefer my own space, and that is why I moved into the penthouse I am currently residing in. Not many are allowed there." Byakuya turned his misty grey eyes onto his girlfriend. "Much less my bedroom. You are the only one, other than myself, who has ever been in there."
Rukia's eyes widened and then she smiled softly. She felt Byakuya cover her left hand with his, before giving it an encouraging squeeze.
"Do not be afraid. I will not let any harm come to you."
"I am not afraid," Rukia whispered. The couple entered the enormous ballroom hall where the Incubi and Succubi were all gathered, talking and eating. "Just… a little nervous."
Byakuya smiled. "Come. It is time to meet my grandfather."
Byakuya led Rukia across the marble floor toward the front of the ballroom where a grand stage had been erected, and where a single figure sat in an old polished high chair. Rukia kept her head down, Byakuya had told her that it was rude to directly look or address Kuchiki Ginrei unless the latter allowed it. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she walked forward, the only comfort being her left hand linked through Byakuya's arm.
They reached the front and Byakuya bowed, Rukia following suit. "Grandfather," Byakuya spoke in his cold emotionless voice.
"Byakuya." The voice sounded old, very mature, and Rukia wondered how Byakuya's grandfather would look like. They say Incubi age slowly, would he look like he was in his forties? "I see you have brought her here tonight."
Rukia swallowed slightly.
"Yes, allow me to introduce my girlfriend to you, grandfather. Ukitake Rukia."
"Ukitake… Rukia." The old voice pronounced her name slowly, and Rukia felt a chill run down her spine unlike the ones Byakuya usually gave her. "You may lift your head, child. I would like to see your face."
Rukia took a deep breath and lifted her eyes nervously to the elder Incubus. The violet eyes widened as the human girl let out a surprised gasp. "Gramps?"
Byakuya turned to Rukia in shock at her outburst. Gramps? He looked up to see his grandfather's wide eyes, and then a small rare smile touched the lips of Kuchiki Ginrei.
"No matter how old I am, I never cease to be surprised at times." Ginrei stood up from the chair and walked down to the couple.
Rukia was still in midst of shock and was now additionally panicked, having addressed Byakuya's grandfather informally.
Ginrei stopped directly in front of the flustered human girl. "Child with the yellow-banded irises, we meet again."
Rukia remembered this old man, he was the old man she had knocked into while riding a bicycle in the hills. She had been out then to gather yellow-banded irises, while trying to cheer herself up from breaking up with Byakuya and the news of his impending marriage to someone else. Apologizing profusely, she had noticed that the uninjured old man seemed to take a liking to her basket of yellow iris flowers and offered him the entire basket. And now…
"What a small world this is," Kuchiki Ginrei remarked casually. "And how amazing at times it can be." His grey eyes fixed on Rukia and without even flicking once to his grandson, the elder Incubus spoke, "Byakuya, if I could trouble you to get me a drink? This old man's throat…"
The skirmish had begun. Rukia knew it, and she was pretty sure Byakuya knew it as well. But the girl turned to look at her concerned Incubus boyfriend and smiled reassuringly.
It's okay, go ahead.
"Of course, grandfather." Byakuya bowed his head slightly and swiftly strode off in the direction of the beverages table, which was conveniently situated at the end of the hall.
"Now like I said… amazing," Kuchiki Ginrei continued, as if he had not just ordered his grandson away. He walked toward the balcony and Rukia understood that she was to follow him. "Now I fully understand why my grandson had agreed to marry the Succubus of the Kiyowara clan in just a few days." Ginrei kept his eyes on Rukia. "You and Kiyowara Hisana… are almost identical."
"I…" Rukia did not know what to say. "Yes… I did see her on the wedding day."
"Intriguing, do you not think?" Ginrei finally turned away from Rukia to look out the balcony. "And to think… your father, Ukitake Jushiro, was also once involved with an important member of the Kuchiki clan… almost bringing said member to ruin."
He knows. He knows everything about me and my family.
"Gramps, I-" Rukia shook her head indignantly, before realizing she had once again acted inappropriately.
"You may address me as Gramps, child."
Rukia took a deep breath. "Gramps, I don't understand. Otousan loves Unohana-sensei very much! He never wanted anything other than good for her."
"His mortality is anything but good. As is yours." Ginrei's voice was emotionless.
Rukia's eyes widened.
"I will not preach on the other foolish aspects that probably many of my clan members had picked on. Money, looks, status, differences in those do not really matter if two people are in love. You can be poorer, you can be less refined than many other women… but if he loves you, then he loves you." Ginrei turned to Rukia. "But what is going to happen to Byakuya… when you die?"
Rukia gasped.
"You cannot be with him forever, you know that. And when the time comes, he will suffer in despair and eternal loneliness. My grandson is very loyal, I have no doubt that he can commit himself to a lifetime of celibacy if the one he loves is no longer by his side. But celibacy for Incubi, is a slow, painful death. He will wither away, an empty shell. And you cannot fault me if I, as his grandfather, will want to do everything to prevent that."
"I…"
"Open your hand."
Rukia blinked in confusion, but did as she was told. The human girl stretched out her right hand, her palm facing upward.
Ginrei reached into his coat pocket and drew something out. Rukia's eyes widened as he placed the thing into her outstretched hand. It was a wax resin of a yellow-banded iris, frozen in eternal bloom.
"I had the flowers you gave me embedded in resin, to capture its eternal youth. That is us, the Incubi. We are all these pretty flowers forever, never knowing the joy of withering at the proper time. These resin flowers, are worlds away from the fresh ones you can pick in the hills any day."
The hand holding the resin flower began to tremble slightly.
"I know you love my grandson very much, I would be a fool to doubt it from all the accounts I had gathered. It would be useless to try to bribe you with money or promises of a good career, you love Byakuya too much for that. But I just want you to think about him… in the long run."
"Are you alright? You have been very quiet all through dinner," Byakuya spoke as he drove the Porsche, Rukia seated in the passenger seat. The Incubus had sensed a difference in Rukia's posture the second he had arrived back with refreshments, and Byakuya had wondered what hurtful words Ginrei had said to Rukia. Otherwise, his grandfather remained courteous, almost to the point of sociable, with Rukia.
Byakuya expertly maneuvered his car into the parking spot, and the couple entered the elevator to Byakuya's apartment suite. Rukia was not going home tonight, her father and Unohana had departed earlier in the morning for a holiday in a nearby island.
"Rukia, tell me. What did my grandfather tell you?" Byakuya questioned.
"Byakuya... what is going to happen… when I die?"
Byakuya's posture immediately stiffened, Rukia knew her question had shocked him.
"What do you mean?" His voice was measured.
"I mean… when age catches up to me, what is going to happen to you?" Rukia turned to Byakuya.
"I will still love you." Byakuya gently reached up and touched her cheek.
"And… when there is no more me to love?" Rukia turned away and walked toward the window.
"I will never hold another, nor love another." Byakuya spoke behind her.
That is the last thing that I wanted to hear. "You… cannot do that." Rukia shook her head.
"I can already assume what it is my grandfather talked to you about." Byakuya walked up behind his girlfriend. "So now… you are starting to question. What will happen to me when you are gone? Am I going to starve myself permanently? Would it not be better if you were to leave me now, at least it will not hurt as much in the long run? And then I will eventually find a Succubus, someone who can be with me forever? Is that what you are thinking now?"
Rukia gasped softly, as the Incubus picked out her very thoughts.
"It would not be better." Byakuya whispered fiercely.
Rukia's eyes widened.
"Because the day you stop having me, the day you refuse to love me, will be the day I commence my celibacy. If you leave me now, what makes it any better for me in the years to come? I will never touch another woman in my life."
"You can't do that!" Rukia shouted as she turned to face Byakuya. There were tears in her eyes now.
"Yes, I can. I am already prepared. The moment I laid eyes on you as you sat in that room in Aiko's, there was no turning back for me." Byakuya cupped Rukia's chin, gently tilting her head up to him. "So… make our time worthwhile, Rukia. Stay… with me, love me, make me happy. Be happy with me. There will be no regrets." His piercing grey eyes burned into her violet ones. "I will have no other but you."
A tear slid down Rukia's cheek. Why? "Why…?"
"Because I love you." Byakuya smiled gently at his lover, and then he bent down and softly kissed all her doubts away.
"I… love you too."
Heat…. everywhere…
Rukia gasped slightly, as his lips found the very sensitive spot right below her left ear. She let out a pleasured moan as he trailed a line of hot kisses along her neck, her hands instinctively digging into his bare back.
Their clothes lay forgotten on the bedroom floor.
"Bya… kuya…" Rukia moaned again softly when his mouth opened for his tongue to lick her skin. He thrust up once, and she arched her back in pleasure.
"Hmm?" She heard his deep voice murmur close to her ear, sending tingles down her body. His hand found a single breast and his thumb teasingly grazed the pink nub in the center, while he kissed her bare shoulder. "Does it feel good?"
"Yes…" Rukia was breathless as she straddled Byakuya. She pushed her lover back onto the bed as she continued to move on top of him, rolling her hips against his. Byakuya met her with each thrust, his lust-filled eyes gazing upward at Rukia as his hands grabbed her hips possessively while she took him deeper. They were already fast reaching climax, and neither was yielding… Rukia cried out in pleasure as the hot white wave filled her, her back in a fine arc as her head reared back…
Byakuya's eyes widened as the one of the glass on the small chandelier overhead abruptly shattered loudly. He swiftly pulled Rukia to him, as tiny glass splinters rained onto the bed covers where she had been moments ago.
Rukia was trembling.
"Rukia… are you okay?" The Incubus gently lifted her face so he could see her properly. "Are you hurt?"
Rukia was breathing hard, her face was white. "I…" Her fearful eyes locked onto his. "W-What happened? I felt... I felt..."
Byakuya smoothed the sweaty hair from her forehead. "What are you talking about?"
Rukia's eyes were wide. "The glass, Byakuya. It shattered just now when I cried out. And… and I felt like my heart stopped… in that moment. It hurt." Her eyes were worried. "What's happening?"
Byakuya smiled reassuringly. "So I made you feel that good?" He tightened his arms around Rukia. "Sleep now. I am here, nothing's going to happen to you." The Incubus reached out and easily swept the shards of glass off the bed. "I will clean the glass tomorrow. For now, we will sleep."
He heard her soft whisper. "I… just felt strange."
"Sleep now." Byakuya tightened his arms around her small body.
He felt her snuggle closer to his chest. "Made me feel that good? You obnoxious…" she murmured and giggled softly.
Byakuya smiled and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. He closed his eyes and waited until her body slowly relaxed in his arms and her breathing became smooth and regular.
Byakuya's eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
He slowly stared upward at the single shattered light bulb, now encased in frosty icicles.
xXxXx
"What are the reports, Unohana-sensei?"
"There is nothing wrong with Rukia. Her vital signs are all stable, her physical examinations yield no abnormalities. I even ran some blood tests, and there are no significant findings."
"I see." Byakuya leaned back in his seat opposite the Succubus.
"I was rather concerned when you brought Rukia in for a check-up, right after I came back from the holidays. I am guessing something happened, but you are not telling her."
"Something happened three nights ago. We were in bed…" Byakuya deliberated, and Unohana nodded in understanding. "… Rukia cried out, and one glass in the chandelier abruptly shattered. She told me, that she had experienced some foreign sensation aside from the pleasure, that her heart had almost stopped."
"It could have been purely coincidental-
"That glass shattered… because of the impact of being frozen over." Byakuya's voice was emotionless.
Unohana's eyes widened, and then narrowed. "Frozen?"
"Icicles… formed from nowhere."
"Did you two leave the air conditioner on for too long? Maybe the room was too cold…?"
"I have not changed the bedroom temperature settings for the last month. This is the first time something like this happened. All the other glass in the chandelier were intact."
"Are you suggesting then that there was a demon nearby… a demon who could manipulate ice? You think he or she sent a threat-" Unohana trailed off as she caught the look in Byakuya's eye. "… could it be… you think… Rukia… did it?"
"I do not know," Byakuya replied.
Unohana looked up. "Well then… there is only one person we can ask."
xXxXx
"What place is this?" Renji asked, his wary eyes taking in the huge dark forest around him. "What sort of person would want to live here?" He eyed a dark hanging vine with suspicion.
"One who doesn't want anything to do with the outside world," Unohana replied as she strode through the forest. The path they were treading on had apparently not been used for a very long time, it was covered in thick undergrowth and moss. Trees grew so tall that they blocked out any sunlight from reaching the forest floor, and vines hung from the thick branches like nooses ready to strangle an unwary stranger.
Renji had been enthusiastic for a bondage night later at the Aiko parlour when Byakuya had suddenly summoned him and Matsumoto to the office in the early evening. He and Unohana had cited an emergency trip to collect some answers. It was all very cryptic but Renji could see that it was important and he dutifully followed without question.
A big scary rainforest was not what he had in mind for the night, but it would have to do. During the car trip, Byakuya had coolly explained to his two close friends regarding Rukia's current condition.
'So now Rukia's starting to shoot ice everywhere? That's pretty cool! Why bother how it comes about?' was what Renji said. Byakuya only narrowed his eyes and explained that he was concerned whether it was indeed Rukia who was having bizarre reactions or if it was sequelae of her interaction with him in the Sacred Exchanges.
"So whoever we are going to… will be able to provide some answer to what Rukia might be going through? You think she's showing some features of our kind, Byakuya?" Matsumoto stepped warily over a gigantic tree root in the path.
Byakuya continued to walk ahead. "I am not entirely sure. I did not sense any demonic aura about her, her scent remains the same. But while rare, some of our kind can manipulate certain elements."
"Like ice." Matsumoto nodded.
"But even so, only gifted demons possess such abilities. I have only ever known one demon who could manipulate element and that is you, Byakuya. Master of the Wind." Renji spoke up.
"Not many know him by that name." Matsumoto chuckled. "Though I wonder why some have not figured it out yet. I mean, your speed clearly outstrips normal demons." The Succubus smiled proudly. "But I guess the dead Aizen should know now, seeing how you can avoid bullets so easily, oh wait, yes you can bend their direction with the wind!" She gave an airy laugh.
"Shut up, Rangiku. This place is creepy enough without your scary laugh." Renji rolled his eyes.
"Not as scary as your eyebrows."
"By the way, Byakuya, who is it we are going to see?" Renji ignored the retort by his female colleague.
"One of the five great demon lords," Byakuya spoke as he walked alongside Unohana. "Her age spans many millennia."
"So that is why we are going to her." Matsumoto sidestepped another tree root.
Unohana nodded. "I have never encountered a situation like Rukia's before. She, one of the oldest demons, should have at least seen something like this. And that is where we seek her knowledge." The Succubs stopped suddenly. "We are here."
The group had stopped before an enormous stone cave with a gaping dark entrance. The entrance was flanked by two large torches mounted on either side of the cave wall, which glowed with a strangely greenish fire.
"It is rare that you have come to visit me at my residence, Retsu." A feminine voice spoke.
Renji and Matsumoto immediately moved into defensive stances in front of Unohana and Byakuya, but the older Succubus waved them away. "Move aside, both of you. Combat is not necessary here."
A figure slowly materialized from the darkness of the cave. As the group watched, a tall and slender woman appeared. She was ethereally beautiful, her sharp face youthful with penciled brows and thick lashes, and full red lips. Her skin was milky white and her hair hung in long black tresses, with a huge gold headdress at the back in the shape of a single crescent moon. She was dressed in a simple white robe.
"Shutara Senjumaru… the Greatest Weaver Demon." Unohana bowed her head slightly, Byakuya standing behind her.
"What brings the great healer all the way here…" Senjumaru turned one eye on Byakuya. "… alongside the leader of the Kuchiki clan?"
"We were recently stumped by a sudden discovery," Unohana answered. "So we have decided to come here, wondering if perhaps you would be very kind as to provide us with some answers."
"It must be a rare problem then, if even Retsu fails to decipher it." Senjumaru spoke. She silently observed the entourage for a bit before nodding her head once.
"Come." The ancient Succubus turned, and eight long skeletal arms suddenly sprang out from underneath her robes. One of the arms on the right retrieved the green torch and held it in front of Senjumaru as she walked into the dark cave.
Renji gulped.
"I see, so that is the situation." Senjumaru leaned back into her seat. The demons were gathered in a vast stone hall, where rows and rows of dusty volumes were kept against the wall. "That is indeed strange."
"Is it because I have performed the Sacred Exchange too many times on her?" Byakuya spoke in his emotionless tone.
"Sacred Exchanges are never able to convert a normal human being into a demon. They only serve as temporary energy sustaining channels and dissipate in normal mortals, no matter how many times they were performed." Senjumaru leaned back into her chair. "Unless…"
Byakuya and Unohana looked up.
"Unless…" The ancient Succubus tapped her chin with one slender finger.
"Unless?" Unohana ventured to ask.
"Unless this girl you speak of already has some demon blood within her. It might have been masked previously in her predominant human form, but they may have manifested after several triggers of foreign demon energy channeled into her body." One of Senjumaru's skeletal arms reached for a book from the shelf on her right and laid it on the table.
"In the past, there have been reports of such incidents. The taboo of the demon world, only able to be conceived during rare Sacred Exchange moments." The skeletal hand opened to a page in the book, where the paper depicted a drawing of a figure, the left half appearance of a human and the right of a winged, horned creature.
"The offspring of a demon and a human."
Byakuya's eyes widened.
"There will be those who display demonic powers upon birth… and then there are those who remain in human form and die properly as normal human beings at normal lifespans without ever discovering their true heritage. Of course… the ones who do indeed discover their demon backgrounds might find it difficult to survive up to adulthood, as they are mostly often murdered by their demon family members. After all, the procreation between a demon and human is strictly prohibited in our world."
"But that is impossible," Unohana reasoned. "Rukia's scent is definitely one hundred percent human."
"Like I said…" Senjumaru leaned forward. "Her demonic characteristics might have just started to manifest."
Byakuya continued looking at the ancient Succubus. "Will there be any danger to her if so?"
Senjumaru turned one pencilled brow upward. "To the girl? Of course there will be. She might die, if her mortal body cannot keep up with the massive demonic power developing inside her. She might live, if her body adapts easily to the sudden power change… but even so, we do not know to what extent she will develop the features of a Succubus. And…" Senjumaru looked at the Kuchiki heir. "… do not forget, she was bred half from a demon. Her extended family might not be so happy to hear of this."
"We don't even know who her-" Unohana stopped as Byakuya suddenly stood up. He swiftly walked toward the direction of the cave entrance.
"Byakuya! Where are you going?" Unohana asked, frowning in confusion.
Byakuya did not turn back. "To the Kiyowara clan…"
The grey eyes of the Incubus hardened. "… I am going to speak to Hisana."
Alright, and this concludes the latest chapter. So yes, as many of you have previously correctly guessed in your long-ago reviews, the old man Rukia had bumped into is indeed Kuchiki Ginrei, Byakuya's grandfather. And yes, he is not going to accept her easily.
Rukia is starting to manifest something strange, and Byakuya does not know what it is. Actually the ancient demon I had planned earlier in the story was going to be another character but then Senjumaru Shutara made her appearance in the manga, and while I was planning out this part, I thought she would really fit as one of demon lords.
And now... our Byakuya is going to see Hisana... about Rukia. Cliffhanger. XD
Hope you like this newest update, and please do review and let me know what you think about it. It will help motivate me to write, and also to learn on your feedback.
I miss you guys. And I hope you miss Incubus Byakuya :D