A Kiss for Shelter

by ArsinoetheXXVII

What if the courtesan was not the first to fall? One night is all it takes. And in Fate's hands a seed takes root. An honorable man will take responsibility and face the unexpected. Beyond passion, beyond possession and obligation he'll want for more, but find a soul unwilling to bow to him. Still with a little effort Byakuya might get what he'd forgotten he always wanted.

2. Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 295

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A Kiss for Shelter

Casual

This was his second trip into the Rukongai- his third in a year- seemingly on a whim. There was no reason or rhyme to it…

But maybe… Perhaps… to catch a glimpse of-

No! No reason.

He breathed in the night air, could smell the chill in the breeze, the scent of autumn nearing. There was laughter on the wind, a jovial sound that created a glow that even the lanterns could not replicate. In this atmosphere of carefree frivolity he was overlooked. Despite his impeccable kimono and the way he glided through the crowds, towering over the majority, no one paused to gawk or whisper- speculating about his presence. Still the throng seemed to part easily for him.

With little thought to a destination he traversed through the Seventy-Fifth and finally into the Seventy-Sixth.

For a moment he paused. The streets here seemed nearly abandoned though just as colorful, lanterns strung across the byways and decorated stalls spread with hand-crafted wares. Even some of the vendors seemed to have wandered away however.

For another moment he wondered at this, years of being on duty making him wary of such an odd occurrence.

But then he heard cheers and clapping- the sound of excitement- amusement. Then the music touched his ears.

He moved forward once again.

In a clearing just before a large stretch of forest was where the citizens of the Seventy-Six had gathered. Tall torches were struck into the ground around the perimeter, casting a glow on every face.

The music was louder here. It was gypsy music. A raucous sound of percussion and flute, a wildly played koto mingling with it all. And in the midst of this cacophony, dancing in the center of a ring of onlookers was the "clumsy" girl.