The first ray of sunlight spilled into the hotel room window, casting an orange glow into the room.
A feminine figure sat on the bed, elbows drooped in defeat as she averted her gaze from the tall man standing in front of her.
"Just leave, Byakuya." The beautiful woman whispered tiredly.
Byakuya swallowed as his heart clenched with guilt and remorse. He had no regrets revealing the relationship between him and Rukia but to see the woman he used to love sit in front of him, tears streaming down her face, especially after all she had gone through for him.
Six years in captivity all because of him. The emotional and physical abuse she had to endure and after all this, to find that he no longer loved her and was in love with somebody else. Byakuya felt like the biggest jerk of all time but what was he to do?
There was no love in his heart for Sakuya anymore. He couldn't possibly agree to marry her while he was still in love with Rukia.
The only thing Byakuya knew he could try to do was to help Sakuya build a new life. Any life she desired.
"Sakuya," Byakuya said softly. "I'll make it up to you. I'll make sure you'll be able to get your life back on track. You've always talked about opening a ballet school for children. You can still do that. You can pick any building you want in Tokyo. I'll acquire it for you. I promise I'll help you."
Tearing her eyes from the carpeted floor, Sakuya's eyes finally met his as she shook her head and repeated bitterly, "Any building in Tokyo?"
"Yes." Byakuya confirmed.
"Even the most expensive one?" Sakuya pressed on.
"Yes." Byakuya replied without hesitation.
Sakuya stared at Byakuya as though trying to figure him out as she murmured, "You're willing to give me a building, an apartment…"
"I promise I'll help you." Byakuya replied. "I'll also deposit a sum of money into your bank account. With this money, you'll be able to live a comfortable life even if you choose not to work."
Sakuya's eyes narrowed. "So you're giving me billions of yen in terms of assets and cash?"
"Yes. If you need more, that can be arranged. Anything you need, Sakuya." Byakuya said seriously.
Running a shaky hand through her hair, Sakuya let out a disappointed laugh. "Is this what you think of me now, Byakuya? That I'd just happily accept your charity and forget the relationship we had?"
"It's not charity." Byakuya quickly explained. "Sakuya, it's not like that at all. The relationship we had can never be forgotten, even by me. But what we had was in the past and what you went through for the six years was my fault. I want to make things right."
"Leave, Byakuya. I can't deal with you right now." Sakuya closed her eyes as she let her head fall into her hands. "Please… just give me some time to think this through."
Taking a deep breath, Byakuya replied softly. "Alright, give me a call when you're ready to talk. If not, you can contact Renji if you prefer."
Sakuya gave no response nor did she lift up her head to acknowledge so Byakuya stepped out of the hotel room.
The moment Rukia answered Byakuya's phone call, his deep familiar voice filled her ear.
"Rukia, where are you? I've just been to your apartment and your landlord said that you've moved."
"Ah, right… I moved out yesterday. I didn't have a chance to inform you." Rukia replied.
"Where are you right now? I'll come to you."
After giving Byakuya the address of Miyo's apartment building, Rukia headed downstairs to wait for him. She had told Byakuya that they should talk downstairs as she didn't want to inconvenience Miyo by inviting Byakuya into the apartment.
When Byakuya arrived shortly after, stepping out of his shiny, luxury car, his chauffer, Sato, immediately got back into the car and parked down the street, giving them some privacy in the quiet alley. Rukia swallowed nervously as she watched Byakuya make his way towards her.
So much had happened in the last 12 hours. She was so determined to leave Byakuya and had told him that they needed a break from each other. Byakuya never agreed but Rukia was wondering if he should take some time to reconsider this properly.
"How's Sakuya?" Rukia asked immediately as soon as Byakuya stood in front of her.
"She needs some time but she'll be fine, I think." Byakuya replied.
They fell into silence for a short moment and then Byakuya spoke, "How are you?"
"Me?" Rukia gazed at him in confusion.
"Yes. I'm sorry for putting you through this, Rukia." Byakuya said regretfully.
"I'm fine." Rukia lied. "There's no need to worry about me."
Byakuya did not look convinced as he stared at her carefully.
"I will settle this as soon as possible so we can get back to our normal lives." Byakuya promised as he reached out to take her hand.
Shrinking her hand back away from him, Rukia took a step back as a look of hurt flashed past Byakuya's eyes.
"You're still upset with me." Byakuya stated.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, Rukia said, "No, I'm not. I just think that maybe you need to reconsider about us."
"Us?" Byakuya frowned. "What about us?"
"About us taking a break. Byakuya, you haven't had the chance to sit down and think about this properly." Rukia replied shakily, her gaze drifting to the ground.
"There's nothing to think about." Byakuya said immediately.
Taking a step as he closed the distance between them, Byakuya pulled Rukia into his arms and continued, "How many times do I need to tell you this, Rukia? You're who I want. You're the only person I want. Right now and even until the day I draw my last breath. Just you, Rukia. Only you."
His words and his warm embrace brought hot tears to Rukia's eyes as she started sobbing into his chest. Days of exhaustion and the constant worrying about her fate with Byakuya had worn her down and to finally hear Byakuya say that there was no one else for him but her, it felt like a huge boulder was just lifted off her shoulders.
"Rukia, why are you crying?" Byakuya asked in concern as he pulled back to take a look at her.
Hastily wiping off her tears, Rukia shook her head and looked up at him.
The concern in Byakuya's grey eyes were evident as he wondered what had upset her. He was wrong though. Those were tears of relief.
"Rukia, tell me what is wrong." Byakuya asked again in worry.
"Nothing," Rukia sniffled and broke into a relieved smile. "Everything had just been so overwhelming these few days and I'm just glad that you're still here… with me…"
"There's nothing to worry about. I'll always be with you, Rukia." Byakuya murmured.
Bringing his lips down to hers, he kissed her softly on the lips and then whispered into her ear, "I love you, Rukia. Always."
Choking back a happy sob, Rukia replied, "I love you too, Kuchiki Byakuya."
Rukia threw her head back as she tried to stifle a moan by covering her mouth as Byakuya pounded into her from above.
Removing her hand away gently, Byakuya panted as he said, "Don't. I want to hear you."
She obliged and her hands found their way to Byakuya's back. Her moans were getting louder as Byakuya's speed increased.
Rukia felt something build up inside of her as she moaned, "B-Byakuya… P-Please…"
Byakuya knew she was close. He was too and soon after, he felt Rukia shuddering as she climaxed and after a short moment, Byakuya came as well. Rolling to the side of the bed, he pulled Rukia into his arms as they both tried to catch their breaths.
"You should move in here," Byakuya said as he stared at the ceiling above him.
Lifting her head up from his chest to look at him, Rukia raised her eyebrows. "What?"
"Since you've moved out of your apartment, you could stay here." Byakuya replied.
Rukia blinked in surprise and sat up. Does Byakuya want her to move in with him? Moving in is a huge step.
"I can't. I've already promised Miyo that I would be renting her room." Rukia said eventually.
Byakuya sat up as well. "How long will you be renting her place? A year? Two? It does not matter. I'll pay her. You can move in with me right away."
Rukia laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Of course." Byakuya replied, confused as to why she found him amusing.
Rukia considered Byakuya's words carefully. She had never imagined herself moving in with a man. What would that be like? She knew she would move in with her future husband but that had always been a faraway thought. It had never crossed her mind to move in with Byakuya.
"I got you something." Byakuya's voice broke her train of thoughts.
Rukia watched Byakuya grab a small jewellery box from his bedside table and handed it to her.
"What is it?" Rukia's eyes widened. "It's not my birthday or anything."
"Open it." Byakuya smiled.
Taking the small velvet box from his hand, Rukia opened to find a sparkling Chappy necklace inside.
"Isn't this the limited edition one that has been sold out?" Rukia breathed in awe.
"Yes."
"How did you…" Rukia stopped herself with a chuckle. "I forgot. You're Kuchiki Byakuya. Of course you'll be able to get your hands on it."
Byakuya grinned. "Do you like it?"
"Yes. But wait…" Rukia frowned as she tore her eyes away from the necklace to look at Byakuya. "How did you know I want this?"
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "You've always wanted this from your future boyfriend, is it not?"
"Y-Yes… but how did you know that? I've never told you."
"You never told me," Byakuya confirmed. "But I heard it when you were talking to Kurosaki about it. That night on Christmas Eve when he tried to give you this necklace."
Rukia's cheeks coloured. That was months ago and Byakuya remembered? They were not even dating at that time and he remembered this thing she said in passing to Ichigo?
Taking the necklace from Rukia's hand, Byakuya shifted behind Rukia and gently swept her hair to the side. After securing the necklace on her neck, Byakuya pressed his lips softly on the side of her neck lovingly.
"Are you free sometime this weekend?" Byakuya asked, his arms circling around Rukia's waist as he sat behind her.
"Yeah," Rukia said as she fiddled with the necklace on her neck. "Why?"
"I would like your opinion on something before I make my purchase." Byakuya replied vaguely.
"What is it?" Rukia asked curiously, turning her neck to look at Byakuya.
Byakuya revealed nothing as he merely let out a small smile then kissed the top of her head. "I'll see you this Saturday, Rukia."
Byakuya's peaceful Friday evening was rudely interrupted as he sat in his study, going through a small stack of documents.
"Taichou!" Ikkaku greeted frantically after bursting into the room.
"Have you forgotten the basics of knocking?" Byakuya said irritably, his eyes still focused on the papers in front of him.
"Ah, right. Sorry! But Taichou, I heard the most incredulous thing from Renji. He said that you're going to propose to Hitoshi Rukia?" Ikkaku asked, panicked. "Renji misunderstood something, right? You're not marrying Hitoshi Rukia, right?"
Byakuya's eyes were narrowed into angry slits as he looked up. "What has this got to do with you, Ikkaku? What I choose to do with Rukia has nothing to do with you."
"Don't get me wrong, Taichou," Ikkaku explained hurriedly. "I just think that if what Renji said is true, everything's moving way too fast. How well do you even know her? Don't you think you should at least do a background check on her first?"
"Background check?" Byakuya repeated sharply.
Ikkaku swallowed nervously but chose to stand his ground as he nodded. "You've always been so careful about everything, Taichou, don't you think you should also be careful about who you're about to marry?"
Standing up from his desk, Byakuya clenched his fists in anger just as Renji burst into the room.
"Taichou, sorry! I accidentally let slip to Ikkaku about the ring!" Renji apologised furiously. "Let's go, Ikkaku, we shouldn't meddle with Taichou's personal affairs!"
Renji tugged on Ikkaku's arm but failed to drag him away as Ikkaku continued, "Please, Taichou, just let us run a background check on her. Just in case."
"Just in case what?" Byakuya asked, his tone low and dangerous.
"Stop this, Ikkaku," Renji begged. "You're being ridiculous. Taichou trust Rukia and I trust her too."
Ignoring Renji, Ikkaku bowed his head and said firmly, "I know I'm stepping out of line here, but I don't think Hitoshi Rukia can be fully trusted until we run a check on her."
"Are you out of your mind?" Renji yelled as he smacked his friend's bald head. "Rukia saved Taichou's life! Multiple times, in fact! Don't you remember how she blocked the attacker who tried to stab Taichou with the dagger?How she traded herself to Aizen to save Taichou?!"
Conflict and guilt flickered in Ikkaku's eyes as he muttered, "Of course I know all that and I'm grateful but could that all be a ploy? A ploy for Taichou to trust her completely?"
"Fucking hell, you're out of your mind." Renji swore. "Why would she even do that?"
"I don't know!" Ikkaku snapped in frustration. "Look, I would love nothing more than to find out that Hitoshi Rukia is just plainly Hitoshi Rukia but have you considered if someone actually sent her to Taichou? Someone like Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez or even Aizen?"
"You truly are crazy," Renji rebuked in fury. "Grimmjow almost raped Rukia. Aizen locked Rukia up and hit her when she refused to tell him the location of Taichou's safes. After all these and you still have doubts about Rukia?"
Ikkaku looked torn as he continued, "I just think that it would be safer to run a check…"
"Look, Rukia's different," Renji replied firmly. "I can see it. She doesn't have any hidden agenda with Taichou. I used to have some doubts too but after seeing how she willingly gave herself up to Aizen, all my doubts are cleared. How can you doubt her intentions towards Taichou?"
"But-
Byakuya's cold voice cut through. "I trust Rukia. There's no need to run a background check on her."
"Taichou! You've always been so rational and guarded!" Ikkaku protested.
"Why are you always so irrational and unguarded when it comes to her?!"
Ikkaku's words seemed to have struck a nerve as Byakuya snapped. "Enough! This conversation is over! I trust Rukia and I do not want to hear another word of disrespect towards her. Understood?"
Swallowing in defeat, Ikkaku muttered, "Understood, Taichou. My apologies."
Byakuya turned away from them in silent anger and Renji quickly took the opportunity to drag Ikkaku out of the study. When the door closed behind them, leaving Byakuya alone, his mind drifted back to Ikkaku's words.
Was Ikkaku right? Has he always been irrational towards Rukia's matters? He dismissed Ikkaku's accusation of being unguarded. He loves Rukia. Why would he need to be guarded against her? It was because of her that he was able to open himself up. It was because of Rukia that he was able to move past Sakuya. It was Rukia who managed to thaw his icy heart.
But Ikkaku mentioned that he had been irrational too. That, Byakuya could not understand. He had made no irrational decision because of Rukia… had he?
Perhaps Ikkaku was referring to the large amounts of money he had spent to rescue Rukia from Grimmjow and Aizen. If so, Byakuya would admit that it was a large sum but it wasn't that big a sum to jeopardize the organization at all.
Byakuya's thoughts drifted to a certain memory where Rukia was fighting back against the knife wielding attacker at the beach. At that moment, Byakuya had never thought much about it but as he replayed the scene in his mind, he recalled how she avoided the attacks and how she had attacked him back. Despite her losing to her attacker ultimately due to their difference in strength, it suddenly dawned onto Byakuya that Rukia looked as though she was trained. The way she calculated and avoided the attacks and how she attacked him back were strategic. How could a mere waitress knew how to fight like this?
Dread filled Byakuya as he swallowed thickly. His brain was now trying to recall every single incident and conversation he ever had with Rukia.
Nothing else really stuck out to him except for that fighting incident at the beach. Everything else seemed normal. Even his first meeting with Rukia and subsequent meetings. Never once had she asked about his business or looked interested in it.
There has to be an explanation about how she learned to fight. There was no way Ikkaku could be right.
A/N: Hello! Not sure if anyone's still reading this but I've decided to continue with the story after watching the Thousand Year Blood War arc on Netflix. The scene where Byakuya's gripped by fear about Rukia (not going to spoil so I'll just leave it at that) re-awakened my love for Byaruki.
Please drop me a review if you're still reading this. I've missed you all. ;)