Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
AN: Here we are. The end. Thanks for taking this journey with me, everyone! It's been hella fun and I'm admittedly surprised by the favorable reception!
Please consider leaving your final impressions; you have my gratitude.
A Kiss for Shelter
True Surrender
Takuma did not awaken upon their arrival home and thus was put to bed without fuss for his afternoon nap.
A few rooms away from where their son slumbered, Xochitl prepared tea for Byakuya. They had not spoken a word to one another since returning and there was a waiting quality to the silent atmosphere.
Across the table from one another they locked eyes as Byakuya sipped from his cup. The young woman had always admired how natural her lord looked cradling a teacup in his elegant palm.
But watching him this day left a dull ache in the pit of her stomach. Before she knew it she was rising from seiza and padding across the floor toward him.
As though knowing her intentions, the captain set his teacup on the table. His eyes helplessly wandered to her legs as she pulled up her yukata enough to seat herself across his lap, fitting her side against his front. One of his arms curled around her waist as she settled an arm along his shoulders and laid the side of her head against him.
The scent rolling off her was that of ripe, fresh peaches, strange for this chilly time of year, yet he appreciated the fragrance. Her forehead just brushed his jaw and loose hair tickled against his neck.
After basking in their closeness for several minutes Xochitl addressed him softly, "Byakuya, my lord…"
"Mm." He prompted gently.
"I want to contribute something." She said.
He didn't quite sigh as he responded, "And once this shop opens… would it not take you away for great amounts of time?"
She hesitated then explained slowly. "Not… necessarily… At first yes, but I do have silent partners and…"
Byakuya's brow twitched slightly; he was fairly certain he had an idea of who these partners might be.
"And I have people I can trust to mind it once things get off the ground. I-I'm doing this because not only can I put money back into the community, but I can also offer financial support here… for us…"
At this point, Byakuya had turned his gaze aside, considering silently. Oh she had a way of turning everything inside-out! This life-giving woman… She had no idea what she'd managed to do to him- a noble captain of the Gotei Thirteen.
Tradition had certain dictates about gender roles. Not that he had not had to relinquish his views before- having a wife a part of the Gotei as well had not been his prerogative as a young man, yet he'd given in as infatuated as he'd been.
But Xochitl and Hisana were two different people.
And he was a different man than he'd been. No longer was he so young that he was subject to naïveté or willing to concede. He knew now that his love for Hisana had perhaps blinded him to reason at times. He'd been very susceptible to Hisana's gentle sway- he'd denied her nothing. In the end he had questioned his judgement in letting her so doggedly pursue not only her career, but her lost sister. Thus for a time had he subconsciously shouldered the blame for her death.
As well, she'd been so focused at times that it made him wonder about her devotion… Of course with her he'd had no doubts, but after her death he had recognized that there had always been a distance in her gaze. She had loved him- in her own way, yes…
But Hisana had never looked at him as Xochitl did now…
He realized he'd become preoccupied as the woman with him now eyed him with dusky eyes full of emotion. In a reassuring gesture he slid his hand back and forth across her obi in a gentle rhythm.
Her sigh was wistful as she looked down into her lap, "Sometimes I'm afraid your noble sensibilities will kick in and you'll realize I could never be the ideal, obedient wife. That you'll be ashamed-,"
"I could never be ashamed of Takuma's mother." He interrupted insistently, taking her chin in his free hand.
"But… I am more than a mother…" She murmured.
"I'm aware," He returned quietly, thumb smoothing along her lip. He leaned in to meet her lips lightly, a sweet caress, before drawing back. "You are the dancer that stole my gaze. The woman whose tenacity never fails to… surprise me."
She smirked in a very Kuchiki-way, combing her fingers through his hair at the back of his neck, "You mean to irritate you."
"That as well." He replied smoothly, a cool cast to his features. She feigned a look of shock, then laughed.
Byakuya's lightning grey eyes grew fathomless, "Still that does not change the way I see you. In my eyes you are… my solace, after decades of battle- after fights I was unsure I would survive. You and Takuma… you are gifts given by your gods to assure me my path has been righteous- that somehow I am deserving." His steady voice, that pleasing baritone of silky self-assurance melted into her skin, seeping into her bones and making her shudder.
She was speechless for several moments, feeling a tightness in her throat that would force her to tears should she open her mouth. For a time she could not help but stare at the lips that flustered her- still! Still her insides fluttered when he was so close- still he could make her forget that she had gypsy tendencies.
Her fingers had stilled at the back of his neck. She looked up again into his eyes before twining her arms fully around his neck and nuzzling into his collar. Both of his arms secured themselves around her in response.
Her voice was slightly muffled, her breath warming fabric and the skin beneath. "I don't think you realize what you've done for me- or to me. I'm not even sure I understand… But in return… I'll give all of me- okay? I will fight with you and I will make a nuisance of myself, I'm sure, but… I will always be sincere."
I never understood sincerity until I met you. I didn't understand generosity until you… And I didn't know love was like this- I didn't think I'd find myself… by falling in love. Thank you.
"Thank you." She whispered, echoing her thoughts. She then pressed a kiss into the side of his neck. The pressure of her lips seemed to sear into his skin. She began to make a trail along the exposed flesh and even began to tug at his robes to continue marking him. His eyes closed when her tongue unfurled to lick sweetly along his collarbones, one of her hands now resting beneath his clothing over his heart.
He didn't realize he was squeezing her so possessively until she made a soft sound of protest as his body stirred in response to her attentions. He loosened his grasp, but only so he could fist a hand into her hair to pull her head toward his.
She was barely able to whisper, "I love you," against his lips before he was kissing her within an inch of her life. Her whimper opened her mouth to him and allowed him to taste her, lashing his tongue against hers.
One of his hands trailed her bare calf and glided up further beneath the hem of her yukata. She attempted to reposition herself, but his questing hand left her skin to drop to her clothed thigh where it squeezed in warning.
She gasped as he parted from her lips, yanking slightly at her hair to force her to withdraw.
Their breath mingled hotly,excitement and longing in each inhale and exhale. But he growled quietly to her, his fingers digging into her in his frustration, "Your display of gratitude will have to wait."
Desperation and confusion took over her features and her lips parted in protest, but the man was looking past her at the shoji. Within seconds he was looking to all the world like the composed, sophisticated noble he was- never mind the flushed woman still seated in his lap.
His hand settled more appropriately at her waist now, he forced his lust-filled gaze to cool, ignoring the pout to her lips, with an effort.
Soon enough two shadows appeared at the shoji, one tall and one very short, small as it were. The shoji slid back without ceremony, revealing Renji and his crawling companion, Takuma.
The redhead hesitated at the doorway, blushing brightly upon noting the position his superior was in. Takuma on the other hand, barely paused.
The baby was staring at his own hands as he watched them make progress across the tatami.
When he looked up to finally catch sight of his parents he grinned and let loose an enthusiastic shriek of greeting, incidentally loosing focus and dropping to his tummy. It didn't take him long to right himself however and make a beeline for the couple once more.
Even as Renji shifted uncomfortably at the sliding screen, Xochitl and Byakuya's focus was fully on their son.
"Well done." Byakuya praised quietly when the boy had made it to them. Xochitl picked her son up beneath his arms and sat him in her lap, facing Byakuya.
She kissed the boy's hair and then sighed, "Oh my… The rate you're going you'll be walking soon…"
Renji gave a laugh, his hesitation forgotten as he grinned and scratched his head, "You know what the old grannies say bout that- when a kid walks early- he's makin' way for another!" His hand stilled, jumping slightly when he realized he had three pairs of eyes upon him.
His captain looked thoughtful, while the woman in his lap bit her lip, and Takuma beamed, unaware of the implications of the adult conversation. He was just happy.
Coughing noisily into his hand, gaze shooting to the floor the lieutenant hedged, "Well… ugh- I just came to drop off some stuff that needs a signature… And Taku there was up so I… Ugh… I'll be heading back then!"
"Renji-san, stay. Have some tea," Xochitl took one hand from Takuma to gesture toward the table, "Or I can fetch some sake...?"
Renji's sights fell on the table a moment, but then followed his captain's movements as the man presented his son a toy. But Takuma barely took hold of the offering before dropping it, choosing instead to wrap his small fist around his father's finger. He watched as Byakuya's mouth curved slightly, his eyes emitting a warmth one didn't often associate with the stoic captain.
A decidedly fond half grin appeared on Renji's face and he shook his head, "Another time, Xochitl-san, thanks."
She gave a nod and smiled before turning her sights on her child and husband-to-be, missing the other man's parting bow and exit.
Byakuya was coaxing the boy to stand. Takuma still had hold of his father's one finger and was supported by the man's hand at his side.
As Takuma rose to his feet wobbly, he smiled, an almost smug look to his little face. Byakuya tugged slightly, attempting to persuade his son to take a step (despite there being little room left for him to go on Xochitl's lap).
"Renji might have been right." Byakuya mused shooting Xochitl what could only be called a heated glance, grey eyes dark with meaning.
The woman fought a blush and finally replied primly, "One thing at a time, my lord."
Smirking at this the captain picked his son up fully, settling him on his arm, against his chest. Xochitl smiled, facing the boy and tugging lightly on his hakama to get his attention as he reached for his father's hair. Takuma grinned at her and accepted the toy he'd previously snubbed.
"I suppose," Byakuya said after a time, "I might make mention to the Sou-Taichou the need for more frequent patrols in Inuzuri…"
Xochitl's gaze shifted, to look up at Byakuya's face in amazement. Soon she was smiling at him, "Oh? I think the citizens there as well as the merchants would appreciate such a gesture."
"Hn." Byakuya gave a nod.
He felt her fingertips and nails caress the side of his face, lingering lightly on his jaw before she turned her attention back to their son who was shaking his toy vigorously, a string of nonsense passing his lips.
He barely winced when his son's flailing hand caught him on the chin and only rolled his eyes to the ceiling when Xochitl laughed.
"Challenging your father already?" Xochitl gasped her fingers flexing gently into Takuma's tummy to which he responded with a shriek and a series of deep belly laughs. This in turn caused his mother to giggle even as she continued to tickle him.
Takuma was fully squirming now his little body shaking with laughter and delight as he tried to escape the onslaught. Byakuya found himself having to avoid the boy's wild swings and his hard head when the boy attempted to climb up his shoulder to get away from the "tickle monster".
Suddenly the captain was facing a full assault, Xochitl's arms flinging around his neck, her body placing enough pressure on his own that he dropped backwards, startled.
Shock was the first thing that registered- how had he been caught off guard? But there he laid on his back, a laughing woman and child secured in either arm against his chest.
Not long after finding himself in this position however did Byakuya feel his son wriggle free, over his shoulder and down onto the tatami. He sighed and looked down at the woman who was still chuckling against his neck.
She looked up and her smile was blinding, causing his heart to skip a beat and then give a strong painful thud against his ribs before finding its regular rhythm.
Both her hands settled on the sides of his face and she kissed him full on the mouth before drawing back to smile again, "I'll let you know before the contract is finalized so you can look over it. And before you insist- I won't need any of your money." She cocked a brow at him, "I can handle it on my own." She gave a giggle and another quick kiss, "But your emotional support is much appreciated." With that Xochitl leaned enough weight on him to push herself to her feet.
Without thought Byakuya let a soft laugh pass his lips as he stared at the ceiling.
Emotional support… how impertinent…
He turned his head to observe Xochitl scramble after Takuma, pretending she could not catch him and at one point running away from swiftly crawling boy. He was quite glad of the spacious room at the moment, lest he be trampled.
How strange…
To lie there and have no pressing thoughts, no anxieties, or urgent decisions to make… When had he ever had such a moment as this- in which he could be so carefree?
He took a glance toward the shoji and realized that he could see the distinct shape of snowflakes falling beyond the screens. His gaze moved back across the room. Takuma was now in Xochitl's lap, her arms around him as she rocked lightly side-to-side, humming and here and there whispering to the now calm boy and kissing his cheeks.
Slowly Byakuya inhaled, eyes closing. As he released the breath his eyes opened.
Strange indeed that the images had not faded, that he did not find himself in a dream. This was his reality- as surreal and fantastic as it seemed.
This was a fate he'd surrendered to willingly without even realizing.
He stared at his family and felt the slightest jolt at the very center of his being.
Why suddenly could he picture her perfectly- the moment they had first crossed paths- perhaps the moment destiny had taken hold?
She'd snatched up his hand- amazing that he had even allowed it…
The hood fell low, but her head was tilted just enough so that he could see full lips descend onto his palm, warm and velvety… Soft fingers whispered over his own as she released his hand and drew back.
Just for a moment- one tiny- too brief moment had she looked up and he had caught sight of dark chocolate orbs aglow with gratitude, cheeks flushed…
So he had seen her face! How had the image of her not haunted him?
Perhaps, subconsciously, it did…
She had run then, away from the overhang, out into the rain soaked, hail littered streets, bare feet splashing in puddles, dark cloak flying like wings behind her. The hood had fallen back in her rush, spiraling hair tumbling across her shoulders, dark and lustrous…
He remembered.
A small smile claimed his lips.
A kiss for shelter, indeed…
AN:
Thank you!