Byakuya watched as the sun came up, the events from the previous night playing over in his mind. He'd kissed her. He hadn't asked for her consent. He hadn't stated his intentions, he just did it. She'd kissed him back and they'd talked about it, however he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. What if she didn't actually feel that way about him, but was just being nice because she was worried he'd do something if she didn't?
No, maybe he was over thinking everything. Over thinking can be a problem, but not thinking is what lead to him now over thinking. He blinked as he realized the situation chased its own tail a bit. Now he worried a little about how long the rest of their relationship could remain innocent, crossing that line last night, set the foundation for other things to occur later on.
Yes, she had kissed him back, and yes they had talked about the kiss afterwards. Yet, he couldn't shake the unease of his actions. To his own mind he had simply given into his urges without considering her, and that was unacceptable of any man never mind a man of his social standing. He was no better than a wild animal.
Still, he'd stopped at one kiss so perhaps he wasn't quite as bad as a wild animal. The thought plagued him, none the less. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear her stirring behind him. Didn't hear her stand up and didn't sense her presence when she came up behind him. He was fully unaware until he felt her body fall against his back, arms around his neck and a quick, light peck on his cheek.
His eyes grew wide as he realized just how distracted he'd been by his own troubled mind. "Geez, I'm really gonna have to keep my eye on you today, huh? Quit beating yourself up Byakuya. Yes, you surprised me—but if I didn't want to kiss you back I would've slapped you. Greater Noble or not, even if it meant being out on the streets again, I wouldn't care. So since I didn't slap you, get out of your head," she gently scolded.
He gave a slight chuckle, he brought his hands up to gently hold hers. A smile graced his mouth as he promised, "Alright. Since you insist, I'll quiet my mind."
"Good," she replied, gently nuzzling into his neck. He softly laughed at just how cuddly she had become and silently wondered if that was the reason he'd wake up some mornings and find her positioned to receive a piggy back ride from him. He didn't mind, sometimes it was a little awkward but he could easily avoid several potentially embarrassing situations without her noticing.
The only time it was an issue was when he needed the lavatory, and even then the main issue was that he didn't want to actually get up and leave right then. He wanted another five or ten minutes to be awake with her. It put him in a better mood for the rest of the day.
"I don't know about you, but I'm kind of hungry," she announced. He nodded in agreement as he stood up and glanced at the fire that had extinguished itself. They'd likely find some fruit along the way back to the Seireitei or maybe they'd catch some more fish. He was fine with either or, hardly anything mattered anymore. He'd admitted how he felt about her with that kiss, and there was no turning back from that. However there was one main concern which he knew he had to address.
"I'm guessing your grandfather wouldn't like us being as close as we are, huh?"
His eyes widened momentarily before his shoulders sagged, and he nodded his head in response. Tama offered a gentle smile and kissed his cheek before adding, "then we'll have to be careful when he's around."
"Yes—I am sorry about that," he apologized.
"You can't control how other people think, Byakuya. Don't apologize for what's out of your control," she reminded him.
"Maybe I can't change how he thinks, but I wish I could," he replied.
"Wishing won't make it so," she countered. He nodded in understanding of what she was saying, still he wished he could kiss her whenever he wanted at home without worry of his grandfather retaliating against her. He settled for sharing another quick kiss with her in the cave before they headed off on their journey again.
He walked beside Tama, taking care to keep pace with her. He didn't walk ahead or behind her, and always his hands were relaxed at his side, yet she knew that at a moment's notice if she slipped, or stumbled he'd be right there to catch her. After walking for a bit they came across an apple tree. Despite his attempt at climbing the fruit bearing plant, he found himself unable to, but he could easily lift her up so she could climb onto the lower branches, plucking a few apples for each of them off the tree before leaping back down.
He chuckled at her nimbleness and teased, "you climb trees a lot?"
She lightly flicked the tip of his nose while poising the question, "How else do you think I used to get free food, spoiled Prince?"
He gave a slight chuckle as he watched the river nearby, seeing some salmon swimming beneath the water surface. Tama took a large bite of an apple before picking up a thick tree branch that was y shaped. She positioned herself so her feet were shoulder width apart, grasping the tail of the branch, the pronged portion aimed at the fish. Then in one swift motion, thrust the branch forward, catching the salmon between the prongs. She glanced back to him with a victorious smirk as she swallowed the bite of apple she had in her mouth and asked him, "salmon for breakfast?"
"Along with the apples? Sure," Byakuya agreed. The two set about building a camp fire while Tama also taught him how to scale and gut the fish, unaware that they were not alone at the riverside. Unknown to either of them, inside the Seireitei a tall masculine figure left the Kuchiki manor. He flash stepped away from the family home and headed off towards the two teenagers. By his estimate he could be in that old district before midday.