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.

50. Chapter 50

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 420

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A Kiss for Shelter

Mother

Takeda-san had been called in to help her dress. The Kuchiki Lord generously vacated his rooms to allow her privacy during this time, but she felt awkward nonetheless.

Now Xochitl found herself trailing him as he led her down the corridor. The servants bowed to them as they passed and she could feel their eyes on her back, lifted in curiosity. It was the first time she had been in the main house other than to dine. And of course she was accompanying the master of the house and had likely been seen leaving his private chambers this very morning. It was no wonder they could not keep their interest in her masked.

She just barely avoided colliding with his back when he stopped in front of a set of painted shoji on the far western side of the manse.

Byakuya glanced over his shoulder at her a moment before drawing a breath and opening the shoji. He paused, taking in the rooms, a sense of nostalgia tickling at his senses. His eyes fell closed and he thought he could just barely grasp the scent of jasmine. A sliver of warmth collided with an icy stab of longing within his breast. He swallowed the emotion and opened his eyes only to scan the rooms more critically this time. Finally he stepped in and moved aside for her to cross the threshold.

She hesitated on the edge looking around carefully as though afraid to intrude.

He looked at her and she met his gaze a second before moving forward.

The room was large and had several places where it might be sectioned off by moving screens. It was positioned just so that the sun filtered elegantly, hazily through the outer shoji- these painted with Sakura blossoms so that the light left a pink hue on the floors.

Xochitl turned to him then and he replied to her silent query, "These were my mother's rooms."

The look that crossed her face warned him of what was to come and he stepped closer to her to counter, "These rooms have not been used since her passing. They are regularly cleaned, but the staff does not frequent this wing for any other purpose."

She pursed her lips, nodding slowly, but she looked at him once more and before the protest could pass her lips he stilled her completely, "You are carrying a child of her blood- her grandchild. She would be pleased to know you had accepted her rooms in which to stay."