"Byakuya-nii-sama" she whispered breathlessly. She stepped back, wanting to disappear into the ground. He took a step closer, his footsteps echoing in the breathless silence. He came closer to her, until he was only inches away from her face. Up close he looked even more intimidating.
"Byakuya-" Urahara began, trying to break the silence. Byakuya raised his hand, silencing him.
"Excuse us" Byakuya said, walking into the storage room, followed by Rukia. He closed the door behind them. They stood there silently, Byakuya staring at her coldly.
"Byakuya-nii-sama...let me explain..." she began, her voice sounding frightened and insecure. She fell silent.
"Do explain" he said, his voice harsh.
"It's just that...it's...I'm" she stuttered, at a loss for words. She didn't know how she could explain.
"Don't ask to explain if you can't" he said coldly.
"I'm sorry" she muttered. Without another word they left the storage room. Urahara looked at them suspiciously.
"You were in there for a while. What were you two doing in there?" Urahara asked, a perverted smirk spreading across his face. Byakuya gave him the death glare. He walked out of the shop, Rukia following reluctantly. Suddenly Urahara grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.
"Feel free to stay here whenever you need to, as long as you need to" he whispered, his face unusually serious. She nodded and ran out of the shop. She followed her nii-sama in silence.
"Byakuya-nii-sama, I'm sorry" she said. He turned around, slightly surprised. "I shouldn't have run away. I didn't mean to inconvenience you. I've done nothing but that since I joined the Kuchiki family"she continued, focusing on the ground. She felt his hand on her chin, lifting it to look at his face, into his eyes.
"Why did you?" he asked. His voice was stern but she could see his eyes soften.
"You told me not to bother explaining if I couldn't" she said, her voice still slightly fearful.