Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 535
A Kiss for Shelter
Games Afoot
She tried very hard to keep from giggling like a girl. But it really was impossible. The noble's hand kept straying down the curve of her side instead of keeping a grip around hers. It was bad enough that the other hand secured at her waist kept flexing randomly causing her to squirm.
The fluttery feeling that crept up on her whenever it was just the two of them was making her rising giddiness pretty well uncontrollable.
He could feel her laughter as much as he could hear it standing against her, bent slightly to accommodate her slight stature. It was quite hard not to laugh along with her. As it was her back was to him so he got away with a few brief smiles, enjoying this impromptu lesson.
Reira was half a yard away, at the ready, tail wagging in anticipation. She watched keenly as her master's hand travelled slowly back up her mistress' arm to loosely cup around her own hand. The leather ball was nestled in Xochitl's palm and Byakuya carefully pulled her arm back in a slow demonstration. But soon enough his hand was somewhere else and the woman was scolding him between snorts of mirth.
The dog barked impatiently at the two souls, who seemed more intent on a game of their own than loosing the ball in her direction.
Recovering from a bout of giggles as Byakuya pretended to irascibly steady her with both hands on her waist now, Xochitl shook her head, "You are a horrible teacher."
"Nonsense. You simply cannot remain still long enough to receive proper instruction." He countered with a regal sniff.
She sucked her tongue, "I know how to throw a ball, Byakuya."
"Is that so? You were doing quite poorly when I arrived." He remarked nonchalantly.
She scowled briefly, hand squeezing around the ball. "Yes, well my new curves are making it a bit more difficult than it was previously." She wiggled a bit as though to emphasize this point.
He bit back a chuckle, the corners of his lips pulling upward a moment before he coughed and cleared his throat.
"Then you will simply have to make adjustments in consideration… And submit to my assistance." He murmured into her hair.
Xochitl bit her lip to stifle a laugh, but nodded despite herself, "Alright." As he reached down to cradle her hand in his own there came the sound of approaching footsteps.
Just before Takeda-san came into view, Xochitl stepped away as Byakuya straightened.
"Kuchiki-sama," Takeda-san bowed.
As Byakuya turned to the woman, Xochitl smiled at Reira, approaching her to offer an apologetic head-scratch.
When Takeda-san had retreated Xochitl turned to her noble suitor only to frown at the expression clouding his features.
Before she could ask his worrying look fell away under a façade of emotionlessness, "I have something I must see to. I may be absent at the evening meal. Proceed without me."
She opened her mouth, but he was already striding away, raven black hair swaying in the breeze.
He paused only a moment to add, "Do not stay out long. Snow is expected."
Then he disappeared and she shivered as the cold tickled along her limbs in forewarning.