AN: Hello all! Once again there was a delay, this time because I couldn't get on to fanfiction dot net for love nor money. But the moment I did, this baby was updated. As per usual, I thank all you reviewers – I am so pleased about how you guys like this! And now on to review responses. I'm sorry that these sound jumbled up because I don't really say who I'm replying to - fanfiction dot net are kinda strict on it, I don't like to have my author notes too long and I'm hoping that people will recognise that I'm addressing their review (I really hope so). Anyway, what was there… to begin – oh ho ho! For once, something I did intend to show! A lot of stories bother me when people seem to just fall in together with no development. It's a long process and these stories do intend to illustrate how their relationship changes and grows. And I hope people enjoy that. As for the 'Hisana Arc', well… there isn't much of one. It kinda bites about how little we learn of Hisana, which is partly what prompted me to imagine what it could have been like. Thus, this story was created. I was scared to death to find twelve review alerts suddenly during my struggle to update this. I was like 'Okay, either someone really likes this, or really hates it'. Thankfully, it was the former. Thank you! Let's get on with it – chapter twenty-three, and a theme eighteen – ahhhhh!

18. "Say ahh…"

Hisana had never played nurse before, so having Byakuya as the Kuchiki household walking wounded proved interesting. His stint in the hospital had ended, but he was firmly requested by Captain Unohana to rest for another week. And no-one disobeyed Captain Unohana.

Despite needing to rest and recover, Byakuya generally did paperwork. She had tried hiding the stuff, but he either followed her completely undetected, or had psychic powers he'd failed to tell her about. Either way, he got the papers back and continued work. So she had decided to play nurse and annoy the hell out of him until he gave up and laid the hell down to rest.

"Byakuya, it's time for a temperature check! I'm not sure how it works, but I figured my hand on your forehead would do," she said, sidling up to him. He had taken to ignoring her when she went into nurse mode, keeping his eyes glued to the paperwork, his hand tightening on his pen. It made her privately chuckle.

Hisana placed her hand on his forehead. Her hands were naturally slightly colder than most people's hands, so everyone felt unnaturally warm to her. Byakuya was no exception. She 'ummed' and 'ahhed' for a bit before sitting back.

"I think you should lie down. You feel kind of warm," she informed him. He grunted, his only acknowledgement she spoke and Hisana sighed irritably.

"Byakuya, at this rate you're not going to get better! Working all the time, not eating as much as you should… I should tell Captain Ukitake to give you another week or two off…" she mused and Byakuya looked up with narrowed eyes.

"You wouldn't dare," he challenged.

Hisana raised an eyebrow, her hand gravitating to a hip.

"Oh, wouldn't I? If Captain Unohana catches you setting foot out of the Kuchiki residence, she'll politely kill you. And since you're not at full strength, I could potentially escape the household and run to Captain Ukitake's," she retorted, now folding her arms.

A slow smile formed on Byakuya's face. They both were enjoying this conversation.

"Do you even know where he resides?"

Hisana frowned.

"I could ask for directions," she said, standing. Byakuya stood as well, towering over her. She tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. Both of them were ready for a challenge.

"Is this to be a competition?" Byakuya asked idly.

"If it is, I don't want you to be a participant; you'll do yourself more harm, otherwise."

"My injuries weren't as severe as you think they were," he said, getting annoyed.

"You fell asleep in a semi-public place with me in your arms," she deadpanned, smirking.

Byakuya looked ill at the memory.

Byakuya awoke in the early hours of the morning, tickled by hair. He blearily opened his eyes to find Hisana in his arms.

"You're awake. Excellent. You'll have to remain here another night, then I will discharge you. However, this doesn't mean you can return straight back to duty, Kuchiki-sama. I expect you to rest for a week at home. I'm sure Kuchiki-sama will attend to you better than anyone else. But for now I'll let you rest and have someone check on you later," Captain Unohana said with a pleasant smile before departing.

"Touché."

Hisana gave him a brilliant smile and took hold of one of his arms.

"Great! So will you rest for at least an hour or two? I'll rest with you. We can talk, or sleep, or whatever," she said, giving him a puppy dog look. Byakuya wearily nodded and let her lead him to their room. Honestly, he was tired, but he was also determined to keep up with his work and not treat his injury as a holiday.

They got in the room and Byakuya pulled Hisana into his arms.

"Thank you, Hisana," he mumbled into her hair.

She looked up at him, plainly confused.

"What for?"

He leant down and placed a firm but gentle kiss on her lips.

"For caring about me," he replied.

Hisana shook her head.

"You're mad. Why wouldn't I care about you? I love you!" she said, hitting his arm lightly, as if to suggest the mere thought she didn't care deserved violence she couldn't carry out because of his injuries.

"Can we just lie and talk?"

She couldn't help notice his not-so-smooth change of subject, but smiled, leading him to the bed.

"Of course, you idiot."

"Is that really my new name?"

"It will be if you don't rest this instant."

"All right."