Ignoring the pleas of the raven-haired boy chasing after her, Kazue kept a steady pace ahead. Her ears burned from embarrassment; she couldn't face Byakuya after her sudden confession. She wasn't even sure it can be called a confession--she pointed out a feature of his that she admired. Without a doubt, she admired him. His temperament aside, he didn't have a flaw that was a deterrent for companionship. He was diligent and determined in his training, excellent in his studies, and capable of being charming.
There was a time where she didn't think about him like this. When they were younger, he was often rash and very competitive with Shihōin Yoruichi. Kazue found herself in the middle of their squabbles many times, sometimes even ending up getting hurt. She felt like she was always in the way, especially when Byakuya used to give half-hearted apologies. At the time, she wondered why her father was often at the Kuchiki Manor and why she was always by his side.
She knew her father was a good friend to Byakuya's father. In fact, her father was a subordinate of Sojūn's in the Sixth Division. But she didn't understand why she couldn't just stay home with her mother. Was it to introduce her to Byakuya so they could get comfortable around each other? Was it her father's intentions to marry her off to Byakuya all this time? Or at the very least have her considered? She wasn't sure how to feel about it, but she wasn't angry at her father. After all, it is a common occurrence in the noble families. It wasn't as though she never thought of being wife; she just has dreams to achieve before that.
A hand covered her left, causing her to turn around. There stood Byakuya, his right hand on his knee, trying to catch his breath. When he realized she hadn't moved, he let go of her hand, straightening his back.
"Y-You ran… so quickly…" Byakuya was breathless to say the least. Neither realized just how fast and far they had gone. Taking a breath then clearing his throat, Byakuya continued, "Ka-Nomiya-san, would you give me the opportunity to make a response?"
'Oh no… I've made a fool of myself, haven't I?' Kazue lamented. With a light blush, she forced herself to look at Byakuya. His long ponytail stuck to the sweat on the back of his neck. Her stomach was in knots, Kazue didn't think she could bear anything Byakuya had to say. But her mouth betrayed her mind, "You may go ahead, Kuchiki-sama."
"I must be honest with you, Nomiya-san. I am unsure that I can return a sentiment at the moment. However, I am not saying that I am against your feelings. I simply request to have more time to understand my own feelings." With a gentle smile, he held out his hand towards Kazue, hoping she will take it.
She wasn't sure if it was due to embarrassment or exhaustion, but she felt sweat start to build on her brow.
"Yes, of course, Kuchiki-sama. We are not strangers, but more like acquaintances. It would be my pleasure to get to know you more," Kazue placed her hand in Byakuya's.
As the seconds went by, she felt a pit in her stomach and an ache began to build. She hadn't felt like this for years. Her face flushed a light pink color, it was harder to breathe with her chest tightening.
"Well then, pleased to meet you, my name is Kuchiki Byakuya, the future heir to the Kuchiki-ke."
"The pleasure is mine. My name is Nomiya Kazue, the heir to the Nomiya-ke." Kazue takes a slight bow, "I am in your care, Kuchiki-sama."
That bow was a mistake--blood rushed to her head, light-headedness beginning to set in. She hadn't felt like this for years. She straightened her back, trying to hide how she was feeling.
"Please, call me Byakuya. No need for so such formality now."
"Forgive me, Byakuya-sama. In that case, you may call me Kazue from now on."
As Kazue took a step closer to Byakuya, her knees buckled. Byakuya quickly wrapped his arms around Kazue, stunned at her sudden collapse.
"Kazue-san, are you all right?" Putting a hand to her forehead, Byakuya almost instantly reeled his hand back. She was burning up; her skin was flushed and sweat formed on her brow. A small pulse of reiatsu began to emit from Kazue. She hadn't had that just a few minutes ago.
Thoughts raced through Byakuya's head; he knew he had to act quickly. Pulling Kazue towards him, he gathered her in his arms. One arm went behind her knees and the other held her shoulders close to his body. In a blink of an eye (or two), they were back in the tea room.
Byakuya placed her down gently, his arms unsteady ever so slightly at the exhaustion of using shunpo.
"Kazue, I will be right back. I'm going to find your father--"
"No, please. No one knows… Something to drink would suffice for now," Kazue quietly pleaded, her hand tightly gripping the back of his white kosode.
With a sigh, Byakuya turned towards her, gently holding her hands. "Kazue, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. I can teach you a method to help you."
Nodding, Kazue allowed Byakuya to turn her hands so her wrists were facing up.
"Located on the inside of the wrists are vents. They are barely noticeable, but if you can focus your reiatsu down to your wrists, your reiatsu will dissipate."
Kazue's skin was peppered with goosebumps as Byakuya rubbed his thumbs in a circular motion on her wrists.
"Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Focus your reiatsu on inhale and release on exhale."
Closing her eyes, Kazue took a deep breath through her nose, her lungs expanding as much as they could. After holding for a few seconds, she slowly exhaled through her mouth; as she did, she felt a slight warmth envelop her hands and it was gone almost immediately.
The pit that was in her stomach was slowly dissipating and the clamminess in her hands started to go away. With a small smile, Kazue continued to inhale and exhale at a pace. Once Byakuya was confident that Kazue was capable to continue on her own, he moved away to make a fresh cup of tea.
"Kazue, I can sense your reiatsu has returned to normal. I have prepared a cup of tea for you."
"Thank you," a pause, "I appreciate your help, Byakuya."
Their fingers touched as Kazue was handed the teacup. A light blush appeared on both their faces. Byakuya cleared his throat and moved to sit across from Kazue.
"I suppose you must have questions. Please know that I am not trying to hide anything for my own gain. I did not have the opportunity to talk to my father, and now with our arranged marriage, I'm not sure what will happen," Kazue explained, absentmindedly rubbing the teacup with her thumbs.
"I planned to take the Shinōreijutsuin entrance exam next spring, but I can assume that wouldn't be necessary now? That would be a shame. In any case, it must be inappropriate for me to think about attending; I can't imagine the elders being receptive to my ambitions."
"I think it's very admirable to have ambitions, Kazue. If not ambition, then what drives people? I take that you'll be following your mother's footsteps? She's in the yonbantai, yes?" Byakuya replied, intently listening to Kazue.
"My, my, are you assuming I wouldn't follow my father's footsteps? You wouldn't happen to believe that I don't possess any combat skills?" Kazue slyly replied before laughing at Byakuya's stunned face. Byakuya stuttered as Kazue continued to laugh.
"I'm sorry, Byakuya. I couldn't resist!" Kazue apologized in between laughs. Byakuya defiantly crossed his arms with a slight pout. Having both Kazue and Yoruichi in his life will be the death of him.
Kazue composed herself and apologized again. They spent the next hour learning about each other. Kazue had reluctantly admitted that calligraphy was a weakness of hers; Byakuya offered to help her since it's his strong suit. Byakuya also learned that Kazue has an older brother, but he's rarely seen as he is very frail. It was another motivator for Kazue to attend the Shinōreijutsuin.
Before Byakuya was able to continue explaining his clan's history, the shoji screen door opened, startling the two teens. Kazue's father had a small smile before turning into a look a sad regret.
"My deepest apologies, but it is time for us to go home," Mamoru bowed, "I hope I did not interrupt such an engaging conversation."
Kazue stood and bowed to Byakuya. "Thank you for your time, Byakuya. I do hope we can continue another time."
Byakuya returned the gesture, "Yes, of course. It was a pleasure. Until then."
Walking behind her father, Kazue stopped for a moment and waved good-bye with a big, toothy smile. It was at the moment that Byakuya thought that maybe, just maybe, Kazue might be the death of him after all.
