Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 573
AN: Longer chapter- progress.
A Kiss for Shelter
Building
During their nightly tea he upset her. It wasn't until hours later when he felt a restless nudge at his mind, and woke to sense her own unrest, that he realized this.
In a fit of agitation Xochitl walked the floor of her rooms, questioning herself as well as desperately trying to ignore the growing turmoil in her belly her frustration was causing.
She should be unquestionably grateful. It was no small thing for anyone to offer a stranger sustenance and shelter. Yet, while she was treated like an honored guest she was finding herself hard pressed to disregard the fact that this was no more than a vague business deal. The outlines were unclear- even the end results were sketchy at best in this cold alliance.
If only she could leave well enough alone.
She had been mulling over a suitable approach since dinner and now as she watched him elegantly sip the tea she'd prepared with bergamot and ginseng she found she couldn't tame her curiosity.
"This is- quite an impressive place- it's very large… for one person."
"It is my inheritance." Was his simple reply. There was a content look about him as his large, fine hands cradled the cup.
A frown teased her mouth. She thought at least he might be somewhat forthcoming when it was just the two of them- surrounded by the trees instead of an entire household.
But he continued to drink his tea. And she continued to wait, hoping he might offer more, but soon enough their time for the night was over and she was left somehow feeling bereft.
She hissed a breath out through her teeth as both a wave of nausea and a sharp pain gripped her. She almost missed the sound of the shoji drawing back.
"What is it?" She heard his smooth baritone glide over her like silk.
Byakuya watched as the girl slowly shook her head, her eyes closed and her palms pressed to her lower abdomen. He could hear every breath; she was breathing rhythmically through her mouth attempting to quell the wayward energy. But there was a hitch in each breath and he could feel the discomfort emanating from her stiff form. His own body tingled in response and he stepped closer.
Then he was moving instinctively. His arm rounded her side and he pulled her toward him, pressing his hand to the small of her back.
Now her eyes were open wide, her head tilted back to look up at him with an unguarded expression. He wasn't quite pressing her to him, there was the smallest space between them as he fed a small amount of calming kido into her from his palm low on her back.
No words were exchanged and even as they held one another's gaze nothing passed between them but the gentle flow of his energy.
Her eyes fell closed with languid slowness and his gaze was drawn to her parted lips as her breathing steadied.
Unconsciously he swallowed as his eyes traced every inch of her lovely lips.
"Does this help?" He asked softly, if only to distract himself.
His voice again seemed to reach out like a caress and she felt herself shiver as it touched her. Thrill rushed through her as though the cloth barrier of her yukata were nothing but mist and his hand was filtering its warmth straight into her bare skin.
Soon thereafter, consciousness alluded her.