Chapter 14

-The Next Day-

Bright and early, Myssa awoke and went to have breakfast. The house was eerily quiet. She and Tamor encountered no one, not even a servant or guard. In the kitchen, they found the chef passed out on the floor and burning with fever. She and Tamor got him up and moved to the servants' housing. That's where they found the rest of the staff. Everyone was in various stages of illness, fevered and vomiting. She sent Tamor to Squad 4 for help then to Squad 6 to tell Renji that Byakuya wouldn't be at work today. She ran through the house straight to Byakuya's room. He was still in bed. His hair was damp from sweat and his face was flushed and hot to the touch. She got a washrag from the bathroom, soaked it in cold water then placed it on Byakuya's forehead. He moaned softly in his sleep but didn't open his eyes.

Myssa went to check on Ginrei. He was ill too, but not as badly as everyone else. He was able to get up and into a cool bath on his own. She told him to rest, that she would see to everyone.

She went to Keiko's room. The noblewoman was weak and sick. Myssa helped her into a cool bath to bring down her fever. While Keiko soaked, Myssa changed her bedding. Once that was done, Myssa got Keiko dressed in a clean night gown and back into bed after getting her to drink some water.

Myssa went back to Byakuya. She woke him up and helped him out of bed. He was weak and needed her help to get into the bathroom. He complained – a lot. Most of his fussing was lost in the fever haze so only broken phrases and words were mumbled. Once she got him into a cool bath he began to feel better. He quickly grabbed a washrag to cover his "dignity" which did nothing except give her something for scale to gauge measurement.

She sat on the side of the tub and washed his hair. He was not a happy man and tried to wave her off, "I can do that. You should leave now."

"Oh, hush," she said, "I finally get a chance to see you naked and you want to take away my fun."

His voice was tired, slightly annoyed, "Myssa…"

She cut him off, "Byakuya, everyone in this house is sick except Tamor and me."

"The staff?"

"Everyone. I don't know what happened, but my guess would be a virus."

"My grandfather and Keiko?"

"I've already checked on them. Ginrei is doing rather well. He's probably back in bed by now. Keiko is pretty sick. I gave her a bath, changed her bedding, and then got her back to bed. She's sleeping now."

"What about the staff?"

"I made sure they were all in their quarters. Tamor should be back soon with help from Squad 4." She shifted to a new position. "Lean back so I can rinse your hair."

He felt her hand on the back of his neck, supporting him as he laid back toward the faucet. Cradling his neck, she rinsed his hair, her free hand working through the strands to make sure all the shampoo was cleared away. He watched her, taking in the look of gentleness on her face. She hummed softly as her fingers massaged his scalp, a soothing tune that was unfamiliar. He wanted to give in and close his eyes. But, he didn't want to stop gazing at her.

Once she was satisfied that his hair was rinsed properly, she turned off the water and helped him sit up. She used a towel to dry his hair as much as she could. Next, she held a large towel open for him as he got out of the bath. He hated that he had to grab her shoulder to steady himself, hated that she was seeing him in such a weakened state. She sat him at the vanity with a hair dryer and then left the bathroom to change the bedding.

Myssa was tucking in the last corner of the fresh bedding when she heard Byakuya retching in the bathroom. She got to him just in time. The hand holding back his hair was shaky and he was sinking to his knees. She caught him, easing him down to sit on the floor against the vanity. A cold washrag was quick to cool his face and clean his lips. Her lovely eyes were reassuring, "It'll be all right."

"I feel awful." Byakuya admitted.

"I know." She helped him up. "Let's get you back into bed." She held one of his thick winter robes for him to slip in to. At the sink, he used mouthwash while she stayed near if he needed her.

In the bedroom, she had him sit long enough for her to braid his hair to keep it out of the way should he be sick again.

As Myssa tucked him into bed, Byakuya let his surliness slip out. "I can manage. You do not need to tend to me."

She laughed softly, "Oh, yes, I do. You may as well get used to it because until you're well I'm only leaving this room for food, drink, and fresh linens." He scowled at her and began protesting. Her eyes took on a gleam of don't-even-bother-arguing. "Stuff your pride in a box, Byakuya Kuchiki! I don't walk out on a friend that needs help. You can bitch and glare at me all you want, but until you are strong enough to remove me from this room, I'm staying! End of discussion!"

There was a knock on the door. Byakuya was relieved to see Isane when Myssa let her in. While she examined Byakuya, she informed them that everyone in the household was suffering from a food-borne virus. Members of Squad 4 were going to take care of the staff, Ginrei, and Keiko. Myssa told Isane she would be caring for Byakuya. He cut her a look that spoke clearly of his annoyance. Isane gave him medicine for the nausea and fever. The only thing to do was to ride out the virus. The medicine would ease the symptoms and bed rest was the only other prescribed action. Isane gave Myssa the dosage instructions, wished Byakuya well, and then left.

Byakuya was surly and it was written all over his face. Myssa left Tamor standing guard over the grouchy noble while she went to the kitchen to make big pots of soup for everyone. After all, someone had to make sure everyone got fed.

-Later the evening-

Myssa spent the whole day cooking and cleaning. She made several trips to Byakuya's room to check on him and see if Tamor needed anything. She coordinated with the Squad 4 members so that hot, nourishing soup was available for lunch and dinner for everyone.

Byakuya slept all day. When he woke it was almost 9 o'clock. While he tended his needs in the bathroom, Myssa went to the kitchen to get him some soup and big glass of water.

He was sitting up in bed when she returned. Setting a bed tray over his lap, she asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes. The nausea and fever seem to be gone." The scent of the soup reached his nose. "This smells delicious. Is the chef well?"

She sat down in an armchair a few feet away. "I cooked. It's Omija's recipe."

"Tamor said you were cleaning all day."

"I was."

"And you found time to cook?"

"Soup isn't labor intensive. Throw in the ingredients and stir occasionally. I had help from the Squad 4 folks too, so it wasn't like I held down the fort alone."

"That is not what was reported to me."

"Reports?" She shot Tamor a glare. "You let people bother him?"

"I didn't want to let anyone in. Lord Kuchiki insisted." Tamor replied.

Byakuya spoke before Myssa could. "Hanataro says you have taken command of my house quite skillfully."

She turned to Tamor. "Tam, I left you a big steak on the counter in the kitchen. I'll be seeing to Byakuya's care until morning. Thank you very much for your help."

Tamor bid them both 'goodnight' and left the room.

Once the door shut, Myssa said, "Well, let's have it."

"Have what?"

"The chewing out, the scolding, or are you saving that for dessert?"

"I am not going to scold you. I was going to thank you. Today was a bad day and you did not hesitate to step in and help. I appreciate all the hard work you have done for me and my entire household."

"You're welcome." She relaxed. "Now, eat your soup before it gets cold."

He ate the soup and took more medicine. She set the tray outside his door. "Can I get you anything? A book maybe?"

"I prefer your company." He patted the bed next to him. "Since you are staying the night, we could talk. I would enjoy hearing more about your experiences as a relic hunter."

"Alright, but I need a shower first."

She went to her room. Since it was one door down from his, she didn't have to go far.

Myssa returned fifteen minutes later with a book in her hand and wearing pink plaid pajama shorts and a baggy, white T-shirt. Grabbing some pillows, she stacked them against the high footboard of Byakuya's huge bed.

Byakuya waited for her to settle and face him. He quirked a brow, "Keeping a discreet distance?"

"The thought hadn't crossed my mind. I just wanted to be able to face you and be comfortable."

Myssa stretched out her legs. Byakuya was instantly glad she'd chosen to lay that way.

She watched his eyes heat up as they travelled slowly up and down her legs. Men looked at her all the time with desire. She was used to ignoring those looks. However, when Byakuya looked at her like that she felt very different. She wanted him touch her. A quick fantasy flashed through her mind of him on his hands and knees, crawling up her body to press her into the mattress with a deep kiss. She would give anything to be able to claim him as her mate. A life with him would be so wonderful, but that was never going to happen. She would never be good enough. The squeezing ache in her heart nearly made her gasp. Sweet stars, Byakuya, why can't I stop loving you so damn much?

The little box in the dark corner of her heart cracked open, her love for him sneaking out to peek from her eyes. He saw the emotions shifting in her eyes as love became sadness. It nearly broke him. He nearly told her how he felt, how he wanted only her. Now was not the time, he needed to be well, strong, able to hold her and make her understand what she meant to him.

"What book did you bring?" He asked.

"One of my journals. I thought it would be easier to recount one of my hunts."

He settled back into the pillows. "No one has read to me since I was a child." He looked pleased. She gave him a sweet smile before opening the journal and reading.

After a few hours, Myssa shifted back to the other end of the bed to lay on her stomach. Byakuya had questions. They had discussions. They had debates. Those were his favorite because she got so animated. The fatigue of the day finally caught up with her and she drifted off halfway through an explanation of laws dealing with the possession of relics. He pulled the covers over her and then watched her sleep for a little while before he too succumbed to slumber.

-The Next Morning-

Byakuya woke up with Myssa in his arms, her legs comfortably twined with his. Her head was tucked under his chin. Her deep, even breaths ghosted over his collarbone. A soft kiss against her temple was an indulgence as well as the hand that sank into her hair to stroke the silky strands.

Myssa was dreaming of Byakuya. She could smell him. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers. The wonderful idea that he was hers made her heart sing. And here in her dreams, he was completely hers, no one could take that away – ever. Her senses began to warn her that the lips on her temple and the hand in her hair weren't a dream – they were real.

She woke with a start. She was in Byakuya's arms! Alarms went off in her head. Her body responded immediately. Scrambling back, she caught a glimpse of his shocked expression before she ran out of real estate on the bed and tumbled right onto the floor.

Byakuya followed, laying on the bed, peering over the edge. "Are you all right?"

She was laying on the floor, mortified. "If by 'all right' you mean uninjured, then, yes, I'm fine. However, I'm about hip-deep in humiliation at the moment."

He was amused. "I do not suppose telling you how cute you looked with your arms and legs flailing would help the situation?"

She started laughing, "Definitely not."

A knock on the door got her off the floor to answer it. Hanataro reported that everyone was better and returning to their duties and routines. Squad 4 was leaving but would return if needed. Byakuya thanked Hanataro for his and his squad's help.

"Are you feeling better too?" Myssa asked as she closed the door after Hanataro left.

"I am. I feel back to normal."

"Good. I'll leave you to get ready for work." She opened the door to leave.

"Myssa?"

"Yes?"

"Don't make any plans for dinner tonight. I want you to have dinner with me. There is something important I need to talk to you about."

She didn't find the request unusual. With the new research she was doing, it was time to start planning for the recovery of the relics. She thought that was what he wanted to discuss. "Alright."

At breakfast, Myssa was absent. She had gone for a run. She missed Keiko's announcement that she had accepted a marriage proposal from a nobleman that she was very fond of. Byakuya and Ginrei congratulated her.

Before he went to work, Byakuya made arrangements with the chef for a romantic dinner for two in the garden. Once he got home from work he was going to enjoy seeing the surprise on Myssa's face when he escorted her to a private place for them to share. They would eat dinner. Afterwards, he would tell her how he felt and that he wanted to formally court her.

He didn't care if anyone in his clan wouldn't approve of her. He would fight for her, and if that didn't work he would defy them all yet again. All that mattered to him was that she would be his and they could begin building a relationship beyond friendship.

For the first time in many years, he was happy. His heart was light and unburdened with overwhelming sadness. He had finally moved on from loosing Hisana, her memory was now no longer colored with grief. The guilt was gone. He loved Myssa with all his heart and it felt amazing. He was looking forward to the evening ahead.