AN: Hello there! Thank you all for the reviews! And because it's Valentines (though I abhor this day with all my heart) and this is essentially a love story, I think another chapter is in order. Number twenty-four – go!
Enjoy, folks.
24. Good Night
It was dark, there was no moon, and it hadn't stopped raining in three hours. Hisana was soaked, but still sat at the bridge, waiting. Her legs dangled through the wooden slats of the bridge over the rushing water. He probably wouldn't come in this weather, and didn't expect her to turn up either. He could afford an umbrella.
'He could afford a whole coach to get him around without getting wet,' she thought sourly, watching the river gush along with the extra water flow.
'Even if he didn't come, that was fine,' she told herself. 'They were fair weather meetings, which was reasonable enough. Walking without some form of protection against the rain could be irritating. But he could afford an umbrella. And we could walk together under it and talk. I could say I was cold and get closer to him…'
"What am I thinking?" she moaned, banging her head against the bridge.
"I'm afraid I don't have the ability to read minds."
She shrieked and leapt to her feet. There Byakuya stood with an umbrella, looking dry and unruffled. Hisana couldn't believe her eyes.
"You came, Kuchiki-sama?"
"I am here, aren't I?" He raised an eyebrow and Hisana felt a slight blush tinge her face.
"Thank you, Kuchiki-sama."
"There is no need to thank me. I came because I wanted to," he informed her, and motioned for her to join him. Hisana gladly came under the umbrella, though it was rather late. She was cold, and a little miserable, but he did manage to brighten her world.
"Nice weather, isn't it?" she said with a smile and Byakuya nodded.
"Indeed."
Their conversations weren't usually so awkward. Hisana blamed the fact that being soaked really shattered the mood. Although she wanted to see Byakuya, she didn't feel particularly like speaking with him. Silently walking with him, perhaps trying to think up a plausible excuse to hold on to him, but not talk. It made her feel silly.
"If you don't mind, can we just walk for a little while?" she asked, eyeing the dark clouds. Byakuya nodded and they continued on wordlessly. Hisana could feel herself begin to shiver now she was out of the rain, but tried to put it out of mind. She could worry about it after he was gone.
"Come here," he said suddenly, and put an arm around her. Her eyes widened, but she couldn't think of anything to say. She bit her lip to stop herself grinning like an idiot and allowed herself to enjoy the warmth his arm provided.
They walked along the river bank, but Hisana wasn't looking at anything. Her mind kept focusing on the contact she shared with Byakuya. The distraction was more than welcome.
Their walk came to an end and Hisana found herself awkward all over again. Byakuya gently removed his arm before handing her the umbrella.
"Hold this a moment, please," he requested. She held it, wondering what he was doing. He had been wearing a plain black haori, which he now was taking off. He swapped the umbrella with the haori.
"You're freezing, so put that on," he instructed. Hisana stood surprised for a moment before putting it on. It was too long for her, but it kept her body warm. Byakuya nodded in approval before handing her the umbrella again.
"Goodnight. I shall see you soon," he said and took her cold and slightly damp hand, placing a kiss on it.
Her hands were too cold to register the light pressure of his lips before he departed, let alone the shock she was in. Had that really happened? What did it mean for them?
She was even more shocked when he walked several paces before blurring and disappearing altogether. Was that some shinigami power?
"Life sure likes being complicated," she told the sky.
It didn't listen.