As they passed the threshold of the Kuchiki manor Tama continued to walk along side Byakuya and mentioned, "snow. We rarely see it here, but I think it's one of the most beautiful things in existence."

He looked to her, giving a nod of his head in agreement with a smile as he agreed, "yeah—especially when the sun light hits it just right and it's that light fluffy kind of snow. It's like it shimmers in the sunlight."

"Yes," was her joyful reply as she looked directly to him.

"Have some respect for your betters," Ginrei barked at her.

'How was I being disrespectful? I don't understand,' Tama thought to herself, blinking at the elderly man's words. He bore a striking resemblance to the boy next to her, except he had a white moustache which matched his white eyebrows and hair.

"Bow your head, do not make eye contact with my grandson," He clarified.

"Aw, come on! She just got out of the hospital and you're griping about that? Ugh," Byakuya scoffed as he gripped Tama's hand in his own and ran with her inside of the manor and headed straight towards the room that was set aside for her. A small blush dusted across her cheeks at the feel of his hand enclosed around hers, her jaw unclenched and her expression relaxed. Byakuya caught a quick glimpse of it and inwardly rejoiced as he thought, 'she's always pretty but she's actually beautiful when she doesn't look like she's expecting to leap into combat. Being fearful and stressed doesn't suit her. It doesn't suit anyone.'

Soujun spotted them and blinked as he inquired, "what's the matter you two?"

"Grandpa was being stuck up to her again," Byakuya growled out.

Soujun offered Tama a kind smile as he bowed his head and apologized, "I'm sorry for that behaviour, Tama-chan. I fear my father is rather old fashioned and a bit stuck in his ways. Our family has always had rules concerning Rukongai citizens and our own lineage. I suppose he fears those rules are at risk of being broken."

"I see," Tama replied as she lowered her head. 'Maybe I shouldn't stay here. It seems I'm just going to cause problems for them,' she thought to herself.

"Don't let him get to you. I'm glad you're here. At least you're safe," Byakuya advised her as he released her hand, a blush tinting his cheeks and added, "Sorry about that. I wasn't really thinking I just didn't want him saying anything nasty."

"It's okay," Tama replied, almost wishing he still had hold of her hand. His hand was warm, and strong, she could tell that easily—but he held her so gently that she wasn't afraid. There was no hostility towards her, and having him near her caused a strange sensation. For a moment it was as if every bit of fear she felt had lifted from her. He cast a small smile in her direction, wondering if maybe she was coming out of her shell a little more, but as quickly as that relaxed look came over her face, the tension began creeping back.

What had been different before? Why had she been relaxed earlier and now was tensing up again? The only difference he knew of was having physical contact with him. He blinked and felt his face flush a little at the idea of keeping hold of her hand, but it seemed to help calm her. He hesitated a little before cautiously grasping her hand again. Her indigo eyes almost instantly sparkled as they looked to him, meeting his steel grey.

He smiled at how quickly the simple gesture comforted her. He shifted his hand a little so the grip was more comfortable, and advised her, "if it helps you feel a little at ease while you adjust, I don't mind."

At this her thin eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she inquired, "'adjust'? I thought I was just staying here so Unohana can make sure that the poison doesn't have any lasting effects on me?"

"That is why we brought you here, yes—however, I'd like to hire you, Tama-chan," Soujun revealed. He softly grinned as he clarified, "officially your duty would be to serve as Byakuya's bodyguard. Making sure that someone who has combat capabilities is with him at all times, and defending him should a hollow or something else attempt to harm him. Unofficially, however, he is just as responsible for you. He's to ensure that in my absence, no one he doesn't trust is permitted to be alone with you."

"I know most of the high ranking officers. If the scoundrel that attacked you is somewhere amongst us, you'll have no need to fear him. I'll make up an excuse to get us out of there, and we'll go straight to the second," Byakuya explained.

"Okay if we spot the guy you can name him, so what?"

"The Sixth Division has always been known for upholding the laws of Soul Society, and works closely with the family that's most directly responsible for the Onmitsukido, including the executive militia," Soujun offered.

"So, in other words—I may have by chance encountered someone that can actually do something to stop him—if we find him," Tama concluded.

Byakuya nodded, still holding her hand in his. He didn't flinch or react when she gently squeezed his hand. He wordlessly lead her into the room that he and his father had arranged for her. She blinked at the room its self, seeing sky blue sheets on the futon, and a pile of kimono robes as well as a few kosode and hakama sets.

"I remembered you saying that you like blue, so—we may have over done it a little," he volunteered.

"No, it's wonderful. Thank you," she answered. He gained a faint smile as he caught a glimpse of her face, the broad smile on her lips, the sparkle in her eyes. She was beautiful in pink and sakura blossoms, but the smile and the happy gleam in her eyes was what made her the most beautiful.

He hesitated before closing the door to her room and turned back only to feel as if a blade had pierced through his heart. Her eyes were wide and wild, like a hunted leopard ready to strike its predator. He quickly brought his hands up, showing his empty palms to her as a sign of being no threat to her. "Tama, I'm not going to do anything bad. I can promise you that. I just don't want Grandfather to know that Father taught me this kido," he vowed.

Her eyes softened as she observed him, one eyebrow arched in curiosity. He slowly approached her, and explained, "it's a protection kido that has been passed down through my mother's clan for generations. Essentially if you're ever in immediate danger after this kido's been cast, I'll know and I'll be able to be at your side in an instant."

He then stopped in front of her, the palms of his hands glowing a faint lavender while he placed one hand over his chest, and the open palm of his hand near her heart.

"It works by monitoring your heart rate. If you're distressed your heart rate will increase. That's the first phase of the alert, I'll feel your heart rate as my own. The second phase is being able to feel any physical harm that's done to you on my body exactly as you'd feel it, and if your injuries become life threatening it automatically teleports me to you," he concluded.

He gave her a small smile and informed her, "I don't know if Father told you, but he's not just telling Ginrei that you're hired on as my bodyguard. He wants me to guard you myself. This is a way that I can do that, even if we get separated."

Tama relaxed and nodded with the faintest smile as she replied, "I see. But you needn't worry about me dying. Someone else already took measures to safeguard against that. Otherwise, we wouldn't have met."