He finished tying the grey obi around his pale blue yukata. He glanced at the door that joined their rooms, wondering if she was doing alright. He knelt down and gently knocked on the wood portion. He'd worn his jinbei at dinner which was unusual for him, however he'd planned to have a bath before going to bed. His bath was now complete and now it was time to help the newest member of the household settle in for the night.

"Come in," her voice permitted. He gave a small smile as he opened the door that separated them and glanced in. She was in a white yukata with a sakura blossom pattern on it. He smiled again at how radiant she looked with sakura blossoms designed into her clothing. He regarded her tense facial expression as he inquired, "are you feeling alright?"

She shrugged her shoulders a little as she admitted, "I'm always nervous about sleeping in new places."

He gave a slight nod of his head and walked over to her, sitting by her he offered, "would it help if I stay here until you are asleep?"

"I don't know. I might not be able to sleep with someone watching me," she pointed out.

"Hmm," he acknowledged. Then he brightened and advised her, "I have an idea. Don't move, alright? I'll return."

Tama quirked an eyebrow at him as he disappeared back into his own room, he returned moments later with an arm full of novels. Tama blinked repeatedly at the sight and asked in confusion, "are you planning to read all of those?"

"Well, I know reading helps me sleep sometimes, maybe it'll help you," He explained. He noticed her eyes became downcast at the suggestion of her reading and quickly added, "or maybe not."

He bit his lip slightly before attempting to tactfully ask, "Tama—can you read?"

Her shoulders lifted before returning to their natural state, as she replied, "I've never opened a book—so I guess no? I don't know—but then if I can't, how did I know what that note said? So maybe I can but I don't know how well I can read? Does that make any sense?"

Byakuya nodded his head in agreement, "it does. If you want, we could see how well you can read and if you struggle a bit, I can help out."

He felt his face heat up a little as he admitted, "I wasn't sure what you'd like to read so I grabbed a few different genres. There's mystery, fantasy, and romance."

Tama shrugged and replied, "I guess I'll try mystery." Byakuya handed one of the books to her, on its cover was a black and white photo of a western style Victorian house. She turned it over, glancing at the back of the book.

He himself selected one of the books and made his way over by her futon, sitting next to it. She laid down with her book and opened it.

"Is the candle light alright?"

Tama nodded a little in response as she began looking through the book. However Byakuya observed her for a bit and noticed she was having trouble. He repositioned himself so he was sitting up by her head, and glanced at the book.

"Byakuya?"

"Where are you stuck? Show me," he offered. It was her turn to feel her face heat up with a blush as she pointed to a medium length word. Byakuya glanced at it and advised her on the pronunciation of it. She nodded and continued reading in silence. He resumed reading his book, keeping quiet as he did so. She glanced at the spare book and noticed that it had a picture of a dragon on the front of it. She smirked as she gently teased, "you're reading the romance book?"

"Shush," Byakuya replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"What is it called?"

"Romeo and Juliet," Byakuya replied before adding, "it's more of a play by someone named Shakespeare. It's well written—I just find some parts difficult to believe."

Tama didn't make any gestures towards him or visibly display her mind set however she did press him, "Like what as an example?"

"They only met three days ago and they're now married," he answered.

"That's fast," Tama remarked, shaking her head and added, "doomed to fail. Something's going to go wrong."

He nodded in agreement as he nodded to her book, "what of yours?"

"The woman in white, by Wilkie Collins—it's interesting—but I don't think it's going to help me sleep," she replied as she set the book aside.

"Is there anything I could do to help you feel safer?"

"I don't know. I'm not used to this—any of it. I've always relied on myself, nobody else. That's how it's always been," she admitted.

"I see. I'm fortunate in that regard but it's easy to get too caught up in a 'someone else will see to it' mind set. I know I've fallen prey to it in the past," he confessed.

"It's weird," Tama grumbled.

"It's that strange to have people around wishing to help?"

"Not only that but I usually sleep outside, without any blankets and I'm fine—but right now—I wouldn't say I'm cold or the futon's too soft, but—it's almost like I'm too comfortable, I guess?"

He blinked at the description and gave a slight sigh as he offered her, "move over."

She shifted on the futon, and he crawled in underneath the yogi with her. She blinked as she looked to him. He laid with his back to her as he assured her, "I won't do anything—but if something happens and you get scared, I'm right here."

'Thankfully Ginrei is away for a week right now or this could cause some problems,' He admitted to himself.

Briefly he reflected on his behviour since he'd met her. He was being unusually kind and gentle towards her. It wasn't something he chose to do, it was purely instinctive. The more he thought about it the more he concluded that he was behaving this way because it felt like if he was his usual brash, hotheaded self the girl in front of him would shatter. It was clear to him by how she kept herself distant with most that she likely felt broken to some degree, and if he didn't tread lightly, he'd inadvertently cause her more harm. That was just something he couldn't do. His pride as the future head of the Kuchiki clan wouldn't allow it.

"Thanks," she mumbled as she turned her back towards his and closed her eyes. He listened as her breathing deepened and evened out. After a while he closed his eyes and let sleep take him.