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.

64. Chapter 64

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 405

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A Kiss for Shelter

Departure

In the early morning light both siblings stood ready to depart to their divisions for the day.

Rukia's stay had sadly ended.

After Xochitl said farewell and touched her cheek to the young lady's cheek in a (foreign yet sweet) gesture of affection she bowed and retreated to allow the siblings their privacy. What Byakuya might have noted about the exchange, but somehow missed was the fond reassurances and confident encouragement passing their lips before they parted.

An unwavering smile lit Rukia's face as she watched the woman return to the manor.

Finally she turned to her brother and bowed, "Nii-sama."

"Rukia, it was good to have you home." Byakuya conceded, tonelessly. But Rukia knew very well how sincere the words were despite the dispassionate voice.

"Aa, I will see you and Xo-san at the same time next month." Rukia replied and could barely keep from beaming as though she had the world's greatest secret.

The captain gave the girl to his right a sidelong glance as they strolled to the gate.

While Rukia pretended not to notice her brother's blandly curious gaze she found it ridiculously hard not to giggle.

I can't believe Nii-sama has a girlfriend… And, gods' forgive me but I never would have thought he'd be so oblivious- awkward even! How utterly adorable!

To keep from squealing incoherently about how cute the couple was (which Byakuya would certainly not find amusing), Rukia quickened her pace.

Just outside the gates the younger Kuchiki turned and bowed once more to her elder brother and uttered a hasty 'good-bye.'

Her smile when she stood to her full height again was unrestrained and Byakuya was unsure whether to be unnerved or warmed by the expression.

So with a prominent bounce to her step, Rukia left the manor and thus the couple to their own hopefully progressive devices.

The last thing she said before she scurried off, however, had him on needles and pins: "She's starting to show, Nii-sama! And the reiatsu is so warm- it's like putting your hand near a fire!"

While he was relieved that his sister had made an ally of the woman- he was somehow offended by the idea that she had touched that tantalizing swell of flesh before he himself had! He would have to re-adjust his focus. But first he had a way to find a way to satisfy his need for reassurance whilst catering to her independent sensibility.