Semi-Byakuruki. Don't bother flaming me if it concerns the pairing. :D
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DISCLAIMER: Don't own Bleach.
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Let me be with you
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Two large blue eyes peered into the silent room. Bright sunlight poured on to the floor from a nearby open window and a gentle breeze caused the curtains to billow slightly.
A man lay on the white bed in the corner of the room, his eyes closed in peaceful slumber and his hair jet-black against the paleness of his face. The blue eyes hinted disappointment and turned away back into the hallway when suddenly the man called out.
"Rukia? Is that you?"
Rukia's solemn sapphire eyes widened for a moment before turning back and appearing in the doorway. Her face was as white as the moon and she intertwined her fingers nervously.
"Byakuya-nii-sama," Rukia barely whispered.
"Is something the matter?" Byakuya asked, his eyes sliding open to look at the small girl. His appearance looked softer, gentler without the kenseikan in his hair, Rukia noted. She filed that away in her mind with everything else that she had just begun to notice about him after he had saved her. She saw him more and more as her brother, as a person she could truly talk to.
"I… I," Rukia began to stammer softly, clutching at her yukata.
"Come closer, Rukia," Byakuya said, but it wasn't like one of the commands that he frequently issued in the past, "I'd like to hear what you want to say."
Rukia looked down, slightly embarrassed as her cheeks colored, and began walking towards Byakuya's bed. Her tabi made no sound as she stepped across the polished tatami.
Byakuya watched silently as Rukia stood in front of him, her shoulders tense and her head bowed down.
Rukia felt him watching her and began, "O-onii-sama, I'd like to thank you… for saving me." Her voice was barely audible even in the quiet of the room. The breeze coming in through the window even rivaled her soft statement.
A moment passed.
"I have done nothing to gain your gratitude," Byakuya replied, closing his eyes, "I abandoned you when you needed my help the most and then I failed to protect you from Ai—"
"That's not true!" Rukia suddenly blurted out, her hands literally wringing the lavender flowers on the material of her yukata.
Byakuya stared at her.
"That's… not true," Rukia said again, reverting back to the quiet tone she had started with, but with an emphatic undertone, "If it hadn't been for you, onii-sama, I would not be here right now. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be who I am today. You have done more than you know." She looked up at her brother and for the first time, smiled.
A strange look glazed Byakuya's eyes and he remained silent.
"If it doesn't bother you then, onii-sama," Rukia began again after another moment, her eyes shining with courage, "Onii-sama, I'd like to try to …love you."
Byakuya's eyes locked on to Rukia's and saw what he had never seen before, for the past only showed him a Rukia who had always averted her eyes away from his, too gentle to stand his steely gaze.
"May I have permission to do so?" Rukia asked, her voice beginning to shake. Her knuckles were beginning to turn white clutching her clothes.
Byakuya closed his eyes and in a voice so quiet and so strained that it was so unlike him, whispered, "Yes."
Rukia's eyes positively glowed upon his answer and her smile widened and brightened. She leaned over the bed and wrapped her arms around Byakuya's broad shoulders, squeezing tightly. Byakuya noticed for the first time ever the slight fragrance of lilies in her hair.
"Thank you, onii-sama," Rukia said softly and straightened from her embrace. With one last smile, Rukia turned and left the room.
Byakuya watched Rukia's form disappear from the doorway and only then did he notice that his eyes were blurred with tears.
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I won't cause you any tears: just breathe baby