Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 473
AN: Arashi- my rival OC will make a nuisance of himself, but briefly. He might come and go- he's puckish by nature. Still he won't take much time away from central characters.
A Kiss for Shelter
Back Down
A cutting sensation clawed at his chest- something he fell prey to without realizing it. He had not even entertained the idea that this emotion might affect the force of his presence.
But Xochitl missed a step, and though the man at her side kept her from falling forward she still looked utterly unnerved. Her eyes zeroed in on Byakuya almost instantly and he pulled back on his power.
Still his eyes glowed eerily in the dimming wintry sunlight and Xochitl untangled herself from the other man's grasp rather hastily.
Her cheeks were flushed as she approached the young lord, though it might have been due to the crisp air. But Byakuya's gaze quite naturally followed the man who trailed her with an idle stride.
Arashi Ito did not look as shrewd as he had pictured. He had imagined the stern features of the man's sire. But the man did not have his father's commanding gaze, though his eyes were a similar shade of dark chestnut. He was clean shaven and looked like a man who enjoyed the sun. He was blonde, which still wasn't the starkest contrast to his old man. The thing that set him apart was truly the easy smile gracing the rakishly handsome face.
Byakuya barely registered Xochitl's soft, "Welcome home, my lord."
The captain was too preoccupied trying to quell his temper. He felt insulted by the man's unannounced visit. And he certainly did not like that shameless look of nonchalance on the other noble's face.
Even when the man remembered his manners and bowed deeply to him Byakuya could only summon a glare.
His eyes darted toward Xochitl as her lips parted, but he swiftly curbed her introduction, greeting, "Ito Arashi, Heir to the Ito Clan."
That unrepentant smile appeared again and the man replied, "Good Afternoon, Kuchiki-kun, pleased to meet you… And thank you very much for taking care of Xo-chan."
The flippant tone to the deep voice grated on Byakuya's nerves even as the overly-familiar words stirred his possessive instincts.
The impudence! This man was trying to goad him.
With regal iciness Byakuya replied, "I sent a message to your home a few days ago. Your steward informed me that you were without the region on business."
The Ito Heir simply chuckled, pushing a hand back through his hair, "Ah, that. That's just his polite excuse for me when I've gone AWOL." He cocked his head then, a lazy smile fixed on his face as he boldly studied the other noble. "… Shall we dispense with formalities…? Honestly, I've been insatiably curious about you since I learned you had taken my little Xochitl under your wing... You are striking! Still, I thought for certain she'd never give herself to another…"
Slivers of coldest granite lingered on the man's smug face, "As per your request I will not mince words. Withdraw your claim."