AN: Hello! I'm so glad people are liking this story! And I'm also glad people like my interpretation of their relationship. We know little, so based on what I know from canon, I'm making up a lot. But I'm happy it's liked. Of course, many people are questioning the owning of the tape player. It was certainly a stretch to come up with a reason, and it's a good point that they wouldn't have been invented at that time (I'm still trying to think of an excuse, but I don't think there is one). My only defence is that I had to include it as a theme. Maybe I should have been more metaphorical (their love was like a radio-cassette player… grin). My thought (which I realised I never included) was that Byakuya would have a penchant for collecting technology from the living world as a hobby (though perhaps a hobby he no longer pursues). His hobbies are touched upon a little later. Thank you all for your reviews – they all got me thinking something or another (and/or make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside). Anyway, I'll shut up. Enjoy!

25. Fence

The guilt was now a constant nag in the back of her mind. The man who used to be a stranger, now something of friend, perhaps – when she closed her eyes, curled up in some nook in Rukongai – something more, was acting foolishly.

She snorted. Something more. More like something of a pain in the ass at times.

He'd been leaving gifts when she wasn't looking. Perhaps when she was looking, but her eyes couldn't catch him. She'd seen him blur and disappear in front of her eyes before; she didn't put it beyond the realms of impossibility that was how he did it.

These gifts were practical things that made her realise how thoughtful Byakuya could be, but ultimately they were things she couldn't hold onto. So she had to fence them for what she could get, and be as low key as she could manage about it. As soon as people caught wind what she possessed was high quality, it wouldn't be long before they guessed it was coming from Seireitei and try to track her down and rob her. Robbing in Rukongai usually left you dead.

'Those sadistic bastards love violence,' she thought bitterly, looking at the fruit basket Byakuya had left her. She would have to go to different markets to sell the fruits and the basket off, and she knew she'd have to keep up the pretence she worked really hard to steal such quality fruit. That meant acting up the moment any vendor even thought of short changing her. The argument would last for quarter of an hour and Hisana would wish she hadn't become friends with such a handsome, rich man. It was already beginning to punish her. The rigmarole she went through to get rid of his gifts was tiring. She couldn't let them go to waste, but neither could she continue to keep up selling it all off. Her profile for having such nice goods was being raised, and questions along with it.

And the guilt was nagging at her.

'I'm meant to be independent and not need this stuff he leaves me. I don't need his help! I made it this far by myself, didn't I?' her mind protested and Hisana sighed.

'I'll explain tonight,' she decided and headed off to a different area of Rukongai. The less well known she was, the better. The rising risk was putting her on edge.

She didn't notice the three men watching her with interest.

"… And that's why I appreciate the gesture, but I cannot accept these gifts anymore. I… I enjoy your company and, well… that's enough for me," she faltered, feeling her face grow hot. The chilly breeze seemed to fail to cool her down.

Byakuya looked impassive.

"Very well."

"Are you angry?" she ventured, stepping forward.

"Why should I be angry?" he countered and Hisana lowered her head.

"You're angry."

"I do not think it's up to you to decide my feelings," he said coldly and Hisana stopped herself from biting her lip. She realised she was overstepping the mark and her heart sank. He wouldn't let her get near.

"I'm sorry, Kuchiki-sama. I'll… see you around," she half-whispered, turning to go.

He caught her hand and partially turned Hisana back. She just wanted to get out of there.

"Goodnight, Hisana," he said, briefly kissing her hand before departing.

Hisana watched him walk away and disappear before her eyes. His kiss had felt like an unfeeling goodbye, a formality without feeling. It made her shake her hand as if it had gone numb.

"Goodbye, Kuchiki-sama," she murmured, heading back into Rukongai.

'Was that… it? Setbacks like that are… horrible. He frightens me when he's like that.'

She climbed onto a nearby roof to help find a place to sleep, and looked out on the sprawling Rukongai.

The night felt unpleasantly oppressive.