Chapter 2: Running Water

"No, you can't," said Byakuya firmly, wiping his mouth after 4 slices. "But why not? It is your fault I got sticky in the first place," Yoruichi retorted. "But if you were handling everything correctly, that wouldn't have happened." Byakuya snorted, "Why would a cat complain about getting milk anyway?" Yoruichi was fuming. "Cat's don't like getting wet! Neither do humans!" "Then don't ask to bathe at my manor," he said. She rolled her eyes. "I thought the Kuchiki Clan prided themselves on good hospitality? If your father knew you refused to give the Shihouin Princess what she wanted...!" She went there. Byakuya hated it when Yoruichi used his name against him. "Have it your way," Byakuya uttered. He was starting to hate her again. "But you must wait for me to bathe first. This is my house after all." "You have hundreds in baths here – why can't I use any of those?" He didn't answer her. He had already given her what she wanted – twice. Byakuya wasn't about to let her trash his family's bathrooms while they were away. Yoruichi sulked for a while, but eventually gave in. "Okay. I'll wait." Pleased, Byakuya left the kitchen making his way to his chambers.

It had been a long time since he had taken pleasure in running his own bath. Usually, the servants did it for him, but tonight he requested he do it alone. He watched the warm water bubble up, filling the room with steam. The tiles were wet; the room saturated with the fresh scent of cherry blossoms. He loved this. Yoruichi wasn't on his mind as he lit the fragrant vanilla candles. Neither was work. All that was on his mind was 100% unadulterated 'Byakuya.' And for the first time he didn't feel guilty about it. Byakuya removed his pyjamas and sunk into the clouded water. He threw his head back, heavily exhaling, letting his hair float on the water. Closing his eyes, he thought of all his favourite things: his zanpakuto; his title; strawberry shortcake; Yoruichi. His eyelids raised when that name entered his mind. He didn't know why she'd come up. 'I suppose she was with me today,' he thought. The only person who went out of their way to be with him on his birthday – despite him warding everyone off – was her. He couldn't help but let a smile ease onto his face at the irony. The woman he had hated for so long.

"It smells so good in here," she said. Byakuya abruptly dropped into the water – only she did that to him. He had startled her. With blood boiling and fireworks in his belly, Byakuya emerged from the bubbles, glaring at Yoruichi. He tried to compose himself. "What are you doing here?" "I couldn't wait. I was getting bored." Yoruichi didn't waste any time; she threw off her jumper and jeans, stripped right down to her underwear. She turned around and unhooked her bra. Byakuya's cheeks were on fire. "What are you doing? Go and wait!" he demanded. Yoruichi shrugged her shoulders. She stepped into the tub. Byakuya eased away from her. Yoruichi raised her legs, removing her panty and tossing it aside. The room suddenly felt even hotter to Byakuya. He couldn't get a second alone in this place. "Why do you never listen?" he said through his teeth. He let his hair topple his face, covering the red. "I figured we'd save water bathing together. Didn't you like my company today?" she smiled, blowing bubbles at him. He actually did enjoy her company – every minute of it. Even when arguing. There simply wasn't a point in ignoring her anymore. 'It is my birthday,' he silently scoffed to himself. Why not enjoy a bath with someone as beautiful her? He pulled the hair off of his face and looked at Yoruichi.

She was so perfect. Her body was even more amazing under the candlelight; wet and shining. The shadows touched her curves. He started to feel out of control again, desire growing inside him. He watched her rub her body in the water, almost amorously – the ripples of her touch reaching him. 'What am I doing?' he asked himself. Byakuya sat up, contemplating getting out. "Before I leave tonight, Byakuya, I want to give you a gift." Yoruichi had a mischievous grin on her face, but then Byakuya figured she always looked like that. "That is a human thing," he uttered coldly. Yoruichi took no offence. "I know you'll love it. You always love my gifts." There was a silence, but it was not awkward. Both reminisced their childhoods. "Remember the frog I got you?" Yoruichi chuckled. Yes, he did remember. That very birthday when they were young, Byakuya got into serious trouble. The frog escaped, finding its way into the manor kitchen, causing mayhem. A smile crept onto his face. Yoruichi noticed. "You do, don't you? I loved our youth," she sighed, closing her eyes and sinking into the water. As she lowered herself, her foot brushed Byakuya's thigh. Byakuya twitched, but instead Yoruichi lowered her foot, touching him.

She peeled open one eye. He stared at her. Yoruichi tickled him with her toes, tailing higher and higher up his thigh to that place Byakuya couldn't control. As much as he wanted to grunt pleasurably, he clasped her ankle, stopping her. Yoruichi smiled. "Why'd you do that? I'm just playing with you," she said. He dropped her foot aside. 'Playing in the wrong place...' he thought. He really wanted to get out now. She used to tease him when they were young, but he was a man now; a grown man with desires. Once she'd take him to that place, he would not be able to stop himself. He didn't know if she was ready for that.

Yoruichi tossed her hair aside. "Can I wash you?" she requested. "No, you cannot." Byakuya couldn't have sounded any flatter. Yoruichi ignored him and crept over, reaching for a cloth on the side of the tub. He tried to evade her, but there wasn't anywhere he could go. She wet the cloth and rubbed it on his chest, etching closer to him. 'This is too much' Byakuya thought, turning away. She rubbed his neck and shoulders delicately in circular motions. Byakuya could feel the goddess sitting on his thigh, inches away from his manhood. He tried to suppress all the immoral thoughts filling his mind. 'Strawberry shortcake...strawberry shortcake.'

Currents soared through him, sensing the friction between their skins as she moved. "You deserve this, Byakuya-bo." She reached around him to rub his back. Her breath warmed his ear. Their bodies glided over each other as she stretched, brushing her hardened nipples against his. She let out a small cry, which did not go unheard. That cry triggered a primal instinct in him. Byakuya grabbed her waist and pulled her against him. The water surfed around them. Their eyes intent on one another, Byakuya impulsively kissed Yoruichi. He massaged her breast; she pulled on his hair. Both moaning, their tongues pressed each other's for dominance. Byakuya would win. He stroked the searing spot between her legs the way he knew she'd like it. Yoruichi wailed in pleasure, giving Byakuya the chance to take over. He smooched her neck, suckling and nibbling at it as if the milk were on her skin. His teeth grazed her ear as he wound his hips against hers. "You shouldn't have made me go there," he whispered, rimming her jaw line. Tears gathered at her eyes. She thoughtlessly blurted out, "I want you, Byakuya."

He shot up from the water like a rocket, Yoruichi wrapped around him. Grabbing her buttocks, he lifted her, dashing to his bed. Byakuya threw her down, biting his lip as her legs flew in the air, spread only for him. Yoruichi ran her fingers along her body, eyes fixed on Byakuya's perfect silver skin against the moonlight. He mounted her, intertwining their fingers, searching her mouth with his tongue once again. He couldn't get enough of her scent or the sensual sounds she was making. She totally turned him on. Yoruichi curled her toes as he entered her, rolling in his specialist figure-of-eight movement. Like when cooking, he quickened the pace over time, drawing in and out of her warmth. He grunted manically at the way she tightly hugged him down there; at the way she cried his name. Still inside, he flipped her over, rocking crazily from behind. He held her arms as he bounced off of her. "Uah...! Byakuya!" It only took one more cry of his name before he released, shooting out all the whipped cream he'd consumed. But he kept going until Yoruichi reached bliss for the 3rd time.

He released her, letting her writhe in pleasure. Even after he'd let her go, she kept moaning. Watching her made him rise again. Once she'd finished, Byakuya pulled the princess towards him, kissing her. He wanted more. Sweat shined on their bodies. Yoruichi huffed, out of breath, "Byakuya...that wasn't your birthday present..." His lips smiled against her cheek. "It was the best one yet." She rolled onto him and they resumed their passionate love-making under the moonlight.