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.

4. Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 266

AN: Slow burn- I know.

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A Kiss for Shelter

Fare Thee Well

From Ikarosu, the deaf messenger, he gleaned enough about the girl to satisfy his curiosity.

Or so he thought.

…

Upon arriving back at his estate, and finding it close to lifeless as much of the staff was still out revel-rousing, he decided upon indulging in an hour of meditation before seeking his bed.

Normally he could sit for hours in the shrine, silently seeking tranquility, but not this night.

Byakuya opened his eyes.

His wife smiled back at him serenely from the gilded frame. His lips twitched, threatening to return the gesture. It had been a few years now since the ache had finally dulled. While he missed the woman he had loved, he no longer felt the tug of attachment that pained him.

At first it had seemed odd- wrong- not to feel the sting of loss that had been a familiar companion over the years.

But essentially the peace that had washed over him upon realizing he had moved beyond his grief, was satisfying.

Pining for her had led him to treat her sister (now his) cruelly. The reminder of his Beloved in the younger girl's face had struck at his heart forcing him to create a cold barrier to keep his raw emotions at bay.

But he had finally stopped punishing the girl- stopped punishing himself.

After being told off- straight to his face by a brazen, loud-haired (not to mention loudmouthed) youth it was impossible not to see the error of his ways.

It had been a new start for him. The beginning of the end of his period of mourning.