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.

68. Chapter 68

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 316

AN: As for the chapter title… were almost past this point really- bordering more on 18 and up if ya get me. Xo's been at the manor for a little over a month now if we're time-lining.

---

A Kiss for Shelter

14 to 17

While dining one evening- when she thought Byakuya wasn't minding her, Xochitl tugged at her clothing. It was a self-conscious action- shifting in the pale jade kimono- pulling it away from her middle.

The master of the house ate as neatly as always, but every movement she made caught his eye and he was straining not to call attention to her fretting.

Finally:

"With colder weather approaching I think it best if you are fitted for seasonal attire."

She paused around a bite of papaya. It was her second helping (now that the nausea was not so rampant her appetite had increased). After chewing and swallowing she reasoned slowly, "My lord, I have plenty of layers. The seamstress has put much time into what you have already commissioned."

Her tone was not confrontational; she was not as argumentative as before yet still, the captain felt his brow twitch.

Lying along the shoji to the outside Reira lifted her head from her paws.

There was silence and the woman finally sighed in surrender, once more fidgeting with her robes, "If you'd like, my lord… But I have designs of my own in mind… if it's permissible?" This time she was asking for approval and he deigned to give it.

Byakuya gave a nod and observed as she concealed a smile. His self-contained satisfaction died however as his stomach dropped.

"Thank-,"

The table shuddered, porcelain-ware clattering almost musically against one another as the shinigami moved at the speed of sound to alight at her side.

Xochitl was left speechless as the man's hand cupped the side of her face, forcing her to turn her head and look up at his kneeling form. His eyes were shadowed and she thought she felt the slight tremble to his fingers as he used his thumb to wipe the blood that had started to trail from her nose.