Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 618
A Kiss for Shelter
Convergence
Hachimoto, Sakura took over a suite of rooms in the manor's adjoining guest quarters.
Byakuya could not forego his duties as host. Ironic that she had come to serve his house and yet etiquette forced him to treat her more as a guest.
She was not unpleasant company, however; her presence provided distraction.
When she asked him to show her to the shrine so that she might pay her respects he was not inclined to refuse.
It had been perhaps a week and a half since Xochitl had returned to the old guesthouse on the far edge of the property.
March was closing in quickly enough.
As he strolled at Hachimoto-san's side, his mind wandered.
He wondered if Xochitl was growing anxious just yet. After all, it had been Unohana's estimation that the child would arrive on the 31st of the coming month…
It was as if he'd conjured her.
On her way out to an appointment at the Fourth, Xochitl swept close to the shrine on the path to the gates.
Time seemed to freeze. She stopped without even realizing it.
Grey eyes pinned her to her spot. It felt like months had passed since she'd last fallen prey to that stormy gaze.
Takeda-san, Layla, and the household guard that made up her small retinue seemed miles away, though they were only a few paces behind or ahead of her.
Byakuya stared, unapologetically.
A woman with less will power, overwrought with emotion, might have launched herself at him, desperate for his embrace. As it was, for just a second, Xochitl pictured this and her muscles coiled like springs in response. But she didn't move and soon she broke from his eyes and found herself waylaid by a different pair.
She wasn't surprised. Gossip had reached her ears, the servants muttering about the woman's nerve, begrudgingly mentioning her beauty and grace, and finally whispering about her position and inheritance.
A coldness pressed down on her chest, causing a pain she knew had nothing to do with her condition.
She is better suited to him. Surely he knows this.
When she realized how forward her stare was she remedied the slight by bowing her head to the pair of nobles.
She could think of no appropriate greeting and honestly did not think she was expected to make one. Foregoing eye contact she stood straight and moved forward again.
"Xochitl-san." Hachimoto-san called out.
Byakuya's jaw clenched.
Slowly Xochitl turned, curiosity clashing with wariness in her rich eyes.
But Hachimoto-san smiled with genuine warmth, "Pardon me. We have not met formally. I am Hachimoto, Sakura."
There was a moment of hesitation before Xochitl answered, "Yes, my lady. I am honored to make your acquaintance."
The noblewoman's smile widened, "I am told you do lovely tea. Would it be too presumptuous of me to call on you to sample a cup?"
The look of surprise was unrestrained on Xochitl's face, but she offered a nod. She bowed her head once more before turning back, her steps a little more hurried this time.
The lord's eyes burned into her back until she drew out of sight.
Byakuya swallowed the hard lump that had formed in his throat.
He couldn't help the sliver of hardness to his tone as he warned the woman at his side, "Hachimoto-san, you should know that I will not tolerate any internal conflict in my household…"
Pacing at his side again, the woman turned her head only to smile in understanding, "I'm aware of that, Kuchiki-sama. You've no cause for concern. I'm not sharp-tongued as Sushiko-sama and I'm hardly intimidating… I simply like tea." Her tone was without subversion, light and pleasant.
That somehow offers little comfort. He thought.
AN: Yes, the new interloper is named after Byakuya's favored flower… Seemed appropriate- or maybe ironic.
Don't you growl at me- you don't know!
It's gonna be okay. I promise.