This chapter includes mature themes. Readers' discretion is advised!


Chapter 52 (Shizuko)

My fingers brushed against his as I dropped the papers at his desk. He glanced up at me and I smiled at him. His lips quirked up too in a way that was foreign to Byakuya. I turned around and went back to help Renji with the other papers. I could still feel his gaze on me, and he made it a point to only look down when I met his eyes from across the room.

I had to bite back my smirk before Renji saw it.

He shuffled through more papers, "These ones can be signed you off by you."

I scribbled my signature on each of the reports after skimming over them. Most of them were new transfers or transcript notes on meetings. Renji passed me a couple more papers that needed to go to Byakuya.

"Here are some that you can take to Squad Twelve," Renji murmured as he read some more reports and passed me more, "If you go now then you—"

"Renji, why don't you take them," Byakuya tilted his head, "Then you can take the rest of the day off and see your wife."

Renji and I both looked at him with wide eyes, "Are you sure, sir?"

He nodded, "Shizuko and I can handle the rest of the papers. There's not much more to do here."

Renji glanced between him and I and nodded slowly, "Sure…thank you, sir."

He was out the door quickly but not before sparing the two of us another inquisitive look. Once he had left, I spared Byakuya a look, but he was reading a report. I sorted through the rest of the papers and signed off the ones that could use my signature. I made a pile for the ones either Renji or Byakuya needed to sign off on, and another pile for the ones I wasn't sure about.

It went by fairly quickly since Squad Six liked to stay on top of its paperwork. The sun was barely setting by the time I brought the piles to Byakuya. He paused his work and began to sign the reports.

While he did, I went through the other pile with him, "Do you need to sign off medical bills?"

"If they haven't been signed off by three other seated officers then yes," He didn't fidget much when he was in deep concentration. Occasionally, he would readjust the brush in his hand but he did nothing else. He noticed how quiet I had gotten and glanced up at me, "Yes?"

I cleared my throat and went through the other papers, "I have a couple miscellaneous forms that I think you should go through. Damages and other various bills."

He took them from me and added them to his small stack, "While I sign these, make us some tea, Shizuko."

"Anything in particular?"

"I trust your judgement."

As I went to fetch boiling water from the kitchens, I couldn't help but think about Byakuya. He had drastically opened up to me over the last few weeks. He didn't push me away or boss me around like he used to. Dare I say it…I think that he was trying to keep me close.

I wasn't the only one puzzled by it. Rukia and Renji and several other Shinigami were fascinated by the ever-changing dynamics of Byakuya's and my relationship. It was almost fun to have these private moments with him that no one else was privy to.

When I came back with the hot water, Byakuya was still signing off. I brewed the pot and let it stand for a couple minutes, studying the Squad's movements. Many were going back to the barracks or chow hall, while others headed out the gates. Many went to the bars in the Rukon.

Byakuya glanced up while I poured him and I a cup of jasmine tea. He thanked me quietly before he went back to signing. I opened the door to his office and took my mug outside with me. While I waited for him to finish up, I hung my feet over the railing of the building and let my hair down from its bun. Like always, I had twisted my hair into an elaborate hairstyle, but with the simple removal of my hairclip, my blond curls fell to my hips.

I leant against the pillar and sipped my tea. I had often remembered finding my mother sitting like this at Squad Eleven. I now understood why. It was relaxing—to just sit with the cool breeze dancing along your skin and gravity playing with your body. I watched the people below and the birds above.

I have no idea how long I was out there, but it was long enough to see the last remnants of the sun sink below the horizon. Byakuya came through the door and joined me by the rail. He gazed out to the Seireitei while I watched him quietly. He looked like a king looking over domain.

"Are you ready to leave?" He glanced down at me when I spoke. I sat up straight and smiled at me with a coy tilt to my head, "I want to go to the Rukon."

"What is in the Rukon?"

"What isn't in the Rukon," I corrected him as I threw myself off the rail and set my cup in his office. I shut the door behind myself and started down the stairs, "Come now, Byakuya."


This next half of the story contains sexual themes. Intended for mature audiences.


We had had a few drinks together before exploring the town outside the Eastern and Southern Gates. And after watching him experience the wonders of the Rukon for the first time in a long time, we had both retired to our rooms.

I had just hopped out of the shower when I had remembered that I had forgotten to prepare a report folder for Byakuya and Renji. It was on my desk and I just needed to finish it up and drop it off in their office.

It took no more than fifteen minutes, and I enjoyed the peaceful walk from my office to Byakuya's. Crickets chimed loudly with the rhythm of my footsteps. I ran my hair through the wet ends of my hair and tucked it behind my ear.

The door slid open with little noise, but I froze when I found Byakuya at his desk. He seemed to have just blown out his table's lantern and was just as surprised to see me. I bowed my head and quickly dropped the folder onto Renji's desk.

"I'm sorry—I suddenly remembered that Renji wanted that ready for you both tomorrow," I bowed again, unsure about how he was staring at me.

He blinked and finally spoke in a deep, quiet voice, "You shouldn't be walking around like that at this hour."

I glanced down at my satin nightgown. It had shoelace straps but I had covered my shoulders with a thick, woollen shawl. The only thing that could be considered inappropriate was my lack of footwear.

I boldly took a step towards him and purred out, "I'll keep that in mind next time. For now, I think I'll bask in the attention."

He shook his head in good humor, "Difficult as always."

I shrugged with a small giggle. He surprised me when he guided me out of his office with a familiar touch on my shoulder. I didn't know how to breathe when his fingers brushed underneath the material of my shawl. He was a bit too quiet as our skin made contact, but only moved to close the door.

Without saying anything, I accepted his escort back to my room. Ever the gentleman. I slowed my pace just so we had a longer time spent alone.

"It's a late hour," Byakuya noted, "Yet, I don't feel tired. It's why I went to back to my office."

"I was surprised to see you here and not in your room. Or the manor," I agreed. As we drew closer to my room, I added, "Would you like some tea? I'm not tired either."

"As long as it's not that awful blend your grandmother sends you," It took me a moment to detect the humor in his words. I laughed quietly and he echoed it with a low chuckle.

As we approached the door, I became all too aware of his presence behind me. My fingers froze on my door lock and I finally glanced up at Byakuya. He had been looking out at the view but faltered when he caught my eye.

"Is something the matter?"

"No," I glanced away, though I could feel the searing heat of his gaze, "It's nothing. Please, come in."

I slipped inside and moved aside for him. It was amusing to see his head barely skirt underneath the doorframe. I was so much shorter than him.

"I think I have a cherry blossom tea in my stash. It was a gift from my old mentor—we ran into each other the day in the markets—"

I shut the door behind him. He had walked on but when I turned around, he was behind me. I stared up at him with wide eyes, a shaky breath leaving my lips as his hands grasped my waist. Finally, after the longing stares for the past weeks, he touched me. His palms and fingers pressed into the flesh that lay underneath the smooth material of my nightdress.

It thrilled me in ways I could barely comprehend. Not as he leant down to my level.

"Shizuko…" He murmured as he drew me close. I followed his lead, drawing up to him until our bodies were pressed against one another. He leant down and placed a kiss behind my ear, "I don't want tea anymore."

I turned my head, staring at him quietly, "What do you want, Byakuya?"

He said nothing at first. His words held power, like a spark to the fuel that ran through my veins. "You…"

I wanted him. Deep down, I had always wanted even a little of him. And now that he stood in front of me, clinging to my hips and his lips hovering a hairsbreadth from mine…I couldn't hide it anymore. I wanted him.

I let my shawl fall from my shoulders. His eyes traced the movement. He swallowed hard as I slid the straps of my nightgown from my shoulders.

"All of me?" I tilted my head, brushing my lips against his so gently.

"All of you."

I reached out and pulled his haori from his shoulders. Our eyes never left one another's, the anticipation and nervousness building between us. But his eyes were heavy with desire, just as my breath hitched as I slowly untied his obi.

I glanced up at him as I tugged sharply on his obi. It gave way and his kimono drooped open. Little by little, I exposed his muscle and skin to the dim moonlight that illuminated the room. His fingers danced across my skin, setting the little hairs on my arms to attention.

The kosode shirt was discarded and soon I began on his hakama. But I wanted him to be desperate for this. Every part of me wanted him to be yearning for me—to be filled to the brim with desire. I hooked my fingers into the ties of his pants and pulled him towards me. He followed my demands.

I wrapped my hand behind his neck and pulled his lips to mine. Controlling his lips with my own, I explored the crevice of his mouth. His hand reached out tug my nightdown but I caught his wrist quickly. He faltered as I held onto him tightly and deepened the kiss. How often, I wondered, did Byakuya get told what to do?

I slowly let go of his hand and ran my palm down the length of his core. His skin was hot to touch, and his hips were already swaying in anticipation. I lowered my hand until my finger brushed past his hardening length and swallowed the sharp gasp that escaped his lips. I was quick to untie his hakama and let them, too, fall to the ground.

"Shizuko," He murmured softly as I led him to my bed. He didn't protest as I sat pushed him onto the mattress and crawled into his lap, "Cruel, bewitching Shizuko."

"You're flattering me," I whispered against his lips and settled against his hard self. I let out an unsteady gasp, "My cruel, powerful Byakuya. I want you too."

I ran my hands over his shoulders, tracing every inch of his skin with my fingertips and gaze. He was so quiet, so reserved, only watching me. His hands ran up the length of my thighs.

Without a word, I leaned forward and placed a kiss on his chest. His hands stopped on my hips, and I whispered, "Undress me, Byakuya."

He rolled the dress up my hip, scrunched it up in his hands and pulling it over my torso. I lifted my arms as he pulled the nightdress over my head, catching my ears. I laughed as Byakuya tugged it free. He had a small grin, and I felt my chest tighten.

I shifted up against him, wrapping my arms around his neck. As our lips melded softly against one another's, he pushed me down onto my back. I shut my eyes and trembled against his hands as they explored my curves. His lips parted. I pulled him closer, wrapping my legs around his. Our tongues pushed against one another's just as his hips shifted into me.

"Are you…" I pulled away briefly and brushed back my hair, "Byakuya, are you sure you want to do this?"

He nodded, tightening his grip around my shoulder blades, "I'm sure."

With that, I lifted my hips and rolled my panties down my thighs. He tugged them down and off my ankles, discarding them somewhere on the side of the bed. I propped myself onto my elbow and guided his mouth to mine. His hand grasped my hip and he sunk into me with a finality.

I whimpered and lowered myself fully into the pillow. He shifted his hips and I soon followed him. Creating a pace that we both agreed on. Wordlessly. Finding a common ground. His lips and my lips explored everywhere within reach, until that was no longer enough.

I cried out, flexing my fingers into the flesh of his shoulders. He groaned as he drove himself in and out of my body at a punishing pace. I braced myself against the frame of the bed, shutting my eyes tightly as I clenched around him.

We lay there for a while, and once I had caught my breath, I sat up. He shifted to the side of me, watching me quietly as I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders. I turned to him slowly, hesitant to look at him. When I did, I smiled at him. His eyes were heavy, and he looked relaxed as he stretched out on the mattress.

He met my gaze and with a straight face, spoke in a deep, gruff voice, "I would like my tea now."

I laughed quietly, tucking myself up against his body. He lay a hand over my waist, rubbing the material of my shawl between his fingers.


Awesome stuff! So I'm just busting out a couple chapters and should be able to do one more massive update! And then we're done! :) See you all at the end of the book! I plan on having it out by the end of this week!