Orihime didn't know what to say. She wasn't even sure if she'd heard correctly. Maybe she was hearing things, or maybe it was those few shots of whiskey Matsumoto insisted they all take before coming to the party. Not knowing whether his words were reality or not, Orihime decided the best thing she could do was smile again.
Byakuya was distraught, though you'd never know it by looking at him. Again, this beautiful woman made him lose his composure and his mind. He hoped that no one had witnessed his momentary weakness. If anyone found out he'd be tortured about it for the next hundred years.
She felt good in his arms. She fit perfectly against him, like their bodies were built for each other. Her soft curves melted into his hard frame. He wanted her. Badly.
Byakuya turned his head back to look into her eyes. Gray, doe like orbs greeted his steel ones. For what seemed like an eternity they looked at each other, speaking without making a sound.
Orihime's heart was pounding, threatening to break free of her rib cage. She could feel electricity where Byakuya's skin touched hers. The voluptuous redhead wondered what it would feel like to have his whole body, naked, flush against hers. She did everything she could to keep from losing composure, from begging him to take her there.
Suddenly, she felt her answer as he slowly pressed her even closer. Even through his thick layers of clothing she could feel his hard member pressing against her stomach. Her fingers dug into his arms. He desired her just as much she desired him, if not more.
"Careful, Miss Inoue, we must control our spiritual pressure lest we invite everyone in on our secret." Byakuya said just above a whisper. Orihime blushed and let out a small laugh in response. They were feeding off of each others carefully contained sexual energy.
For the remainder of the dance the two focused on everything but their desire to devour each other and chatted happily about the party, her journey and everything in between. Catching up would come later.
()()()()()
From all around the room people were in awe of the captain and his chosen lady and her ability to engage him in a conversation. He scarce spoke two words together with a majority of his acquaintances. Their obvious bond was intriguing to many and discouraging to some.
Off in the corner Ichigo scowled and took shot after shot of whatever was handed to him. Too occupied by his distaste for the scene unraveling before him to pay attention to the female sauntering up to greet him.
It was Matsumoto, who had noticed him grumbling in the corner like a drunk hermit. She smacked him on the arm.
"You're a real idiot. She loved you."
"I know. Don't rub it in. I don't stand a chance now." He pointed a wavering hand towards the newly found object of his affections and the man she seemed so happy with.
"Yeah, I wouldn't even try against the devastatingly handsome Captain." At that Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Oh! I hear Senna is here and looking for you."
"What of it?" He snapped back.
"And that is why you're drinking alone." She turned and walked away.
()()()()()
In another corner an intoxicated Tatsuki pulled a yielding Chad up the crowded stairs to disappear into the maze that was the Kuchiki Manor.
Free from the party she ran with the giant chasing after her, both laughing and occasionally stopping to steal a kiss from each others mouths. Eventually they would find one of their rooms and steal away inside.
()()()()()
Byakuya left Orihime to her search for Matsumoto and returned to his sister's side.
"That was... Interesting, brother." Rukia smirked. He coughed in response.
"Can we leave now?" Renji interjected. The young woman's fiancé was not enjoying the evening. He would much rather have preferred battle training or making love to his future bride than hobnobbing with all these people he didn't know or care about.
"Renji!" His lover whined.
"It is fine." The Captain stated flatly. "Go."
"Thank you, brother! I don't know how much more whining I could take!" In an instant she was pulled away by her eager husband to be and disappeared into the crowd.
Leaving wouldn't be as easy as Renji would have liked. Everyone wanted to congratulate them and wish them a good night. Much to his dismay, it was hours before they were able to get away to the safety of their room.
()()()()()
While looking for Matsumoto, Orihime came across an interesting scene. Ichigo sat halfway on his chair, moments away from toppling over.
"Ichigo!" Another female's voice called out in concern. Orihime saw the woman run up to him and proceed to wake him up from his drunken daze. Seven years ago she would have felt a huge pang of jealousy, but tonight she felt only a slight amount of discomfort. It only took a mere seven years and a short, but passionate reunion with Master Kuchiki to somewhat cure her of the great Ichigo Kurosaki. She ran to assist the mystery woman.
"Who the hell are you?" Hissed the woman.
"O-Orihime. Orihime Inoue." The redhead stammered.
"Hiiiime! I missed you so, so very much. You never called. You didn't text. You broke my h-." Ichigo rambled on until the woman covered his mouth with her hand. Orihime turned a crimson red.
"I'm Senna, Ichigo's girlfriend." Senna gave the redheaded female a piercing look. "I'll handle this alone."
"Leave me alone, you witch." Kurosaki moaned while waving her away. The two argued while Orihime watched in confusion.
"Miss Inoue!" A familiar voice called from behind her. She turned to see Uryu Ishida standing behind her with a big grin on his face. "Amusing, isn't it?"
"How are you, Ishida?"
()()()()()
Byakuya carefully watched his most cherished guest as she made her way around the ballroom. He wanted to make sure she wasn't harassed by the many idiot soldiers attending the party, or experiencing any sort of discomfort. If anything were to happen to her he'd take her away immediately and... What? Do what every other man was thinking about doing to the most beautiful woman in the room? No, he would behave. His conduct earlier was inappropriate. It must have been all that sake and her. Her curves, her smell, that hair... Orihime Inoue was an exceptionable woman and a dear friend to him and his sister. He had to find some way to deliver her safely to her quarters while resisting his own heavy temptations.
He watched with growing jealousy as she was asked to dance by suitor after suitor. Every single male in the vicinity was trying to earn her affections by engaging her in conversation, flirting shamelessly with his... That was it! He had to rescue her. This time it was from that bothersome Ishida.
Byakuya approached the chatty friends. Carefully listening for any alarming conversation.
"And that was how I met my husband to be." Husband? Ishida was a man and he was seeing a man. Oh. That would explain all those years of sewing and his impeccable taste in fashion. Byakuya laughed inwardly and decided to keep his distance for the time being.
"Oh, Uryu, I'm so jealous! I wish I could be so lucky. You have it all! Love, a career you're passionate about." The busty woman beamed up at her friend dreamily, basking in the stories of his fairy tale life.
"We have our love." Ichigo stumbled into an unsuspecting Orihime causing her to lose balance and both of them to fall to the floor. All at once an irritated Senna, an amused Uryu and Byakuya with the appearance of calm rushed forward to assist in removing the redheaded drunk off of the young woman.
"He needs to be taken to his room. Now." The head of the household signaled for two servants to escort the bothersome drunk out of the area. Senna bowed, thanked everyone and trailed behind the trio. The Captiab helped the incredibly embarrassed Orihime Inoue up from the floor.
"Well, that was enough excitement for one night." Ishida mused. He always liked to see Ichigo make a fool of himself. It was like the old times. "I must retire for the night."
"Don't look so pleased." Orihime hugged her friend and wished him a good night.
"Inoue, would you walk with me?" Byakuya asked. She nodded.
()()()()()
The stars were out in abundance over the Kychiki garden. There was a gentle breeze wrestling through the leaves of the trees above them. It was warm, a perfect night for a stroll.
"I don't understand him. After all these years."
"I do." Byakuya understood all too well. "Isn't there also a saying 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'?"
"He didn't take the time to know who I was then and I can't blame him. I was an odd girl then, and still am. Besides all that, there was no relationship to grow. Nothing for him to miss. He never really paid any attention to me. I was just an object to be saved. Like capture the flag. I was the flag." She was frustrated.
"Orihime, there are things you don't know." She looked at him questioningly. Byakuya sight and knew he was shooting himself in the foot, but she belonged with Kurosaki. He needed to keep reminding himself that, no matter how many times she made him forget.
"When you left us for Hueco Mundo... Ichigo was the only one who believed in you. He was blind with rage. So blind he ran after you without the consent of Soul Society."
"He did the same for Rukia." She stated quietly.
"Rukia never brought out his hollow to protect her." He was trying to sell her his rival in love and wasn't making a good case of it.
"I brought you back as well. It's just something I can do." He stopped her and turned her to face him. He gave her an intense stare. She shrunk under his gaze. Every time he looked at her she felt like he could see everything about her. She felt naked.
"You don't understand, do you?" Byakuya slid a large, warm hand up her spine to cradle the base of her skull. Orihime started to tremble. "If only you could see..." His other hand glided over her hip to rest at her lower back. He tilted her head back as she closed her eyes. His lips descended upon hers.