I don't own anything of bleach, the AU-ish story line is just that.
8:50am
Good morning to those wherever its still morning, good afternoon to my m8's in London and good night to those wherever its night time. Currently I am sitting in the Piarco Int'l Airport departure lounge area in Trinidad, awaiting my 11 am flight (2 hours check in time before required). I just finished typing up this chapter, not the best (but i enjoyed writing it still) and not to long its like medium long at best, please don't be disappointed (my smut readers)if you don't find what you're looking for I just couldn't see it falling in here in this chapter, BUT I promise its going to happen soon, so very soon. (ch 11-12) because they deserve to explode that long. lol and everyone will be mentioned.
Thank you to everyone that continues to review and follow ... in general leaving a positive feedback, also to the new comers thank you.
I will be away on a two country visit work thing for two weeks (roughly 12 days) if i manage to get the idea that i have for ch11 typed then i will post it if i can.
CHEERS TO EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT LAST TWO WEEKS OF SUMMER WHEREVER YOU ARE.
CHAPTER 10 – Confession's…A proposal… Soup… Stolen Kisses
-.
~6pm
Sunday turned out to be a slow long day, Rukia felt as she sat at Nanao's dinner table, the three having dinner at Nanao's as it was her turn to host dinner.
Honestly she wasn't all in it, her mind was deep and far in thought about one man and the ways he had changed so drastically. Even more she was baffled that she was no longer angry at him.
"RUKIA!" she heard Rangiku's voice blasting her name louder than usual.
"Huh-what, Kami Ran, I'm right here you know,"
"Are you, because I feel like I was talking to the chair and not you for the last two minutes?"
"Sorry- I am just distracted, what did you say?"
"What's got you so distracted?"
"Uh-nothing, I was just thinking you know… idea's that sort of thing,"
"Right and I got married yesterday,"
"What, you wouldn't dare get married without me…?"
"Exactly, so are you going to tell us how your date went, because I am sure that's what got you very distracted?"
"Can't I have some exclusive privacy; do I have to share about my date?"She said meaning it to sound serious but she was only teasing them.
"Yes, that's what we three have always done, whether our dates were good or bad, you don't have to give a lot of details, if you want to keep him a mystery then so be it, but we'll eventually find out who he is if anything more comes of it."
"Okay – fine, I think its best I tell you all anyway, I know you have ways of getting information on me without me knowing Ran."
"See Ruki-baby, you know me so well, only best friends know this about their best-est friends."
"Maybe, but you're a very tricky, sly, best-est friend."
"Thanks still for the compliment though, so start talking?"
"Well uh- he was a total gentleman and surprisingly pleasant company,"
"What's his name?"
"I don't want to say-yet,"
"Is he an ex boyfriend babe?"
"No- definitely not,"
"One of your one night stands?"
"Neither… uh- I don't even think I know really,"
"So what does he do?"
"He's a business man, a successful one to,"
"What kind of business does he operate Rukia?"
"Various… a bit of real estate, computer electronics, etc…"
Nanao knew when Rukia was lying and so did Rangiku, but obviously she wasn't ready to tell them about this guy which could only mean he is someone they knew or met before.
Rukia, hated to lie to her friends, not intentionally, but really they were so going to be against her having anything to do with Byakuya until he apologized and kiss all three of their asses as though he had hurt all three of them. Then again they didn't know the full story, so their anger was really misplaced.
"Why don't, you invite him to 'SZ' opening on Friday, I promise not to give him the third degree," Ran said with a sweet innocent smile
"I am thinking about it,"
"Well if you don't, I have a stand in date for you,"
"Ran I don't want another blind date…"
"It's not a blind date, you met him already, he was one of the guys who was helping with the construction of 'SZ' he's a shy sweet little thing, just like you, I think you both will find you have a lot in common."
"No- I won't accept it; I can get my own date thank you very much,"
"Nan_"
"I think I'll go get that other bottle of wine now," she said quickly escaping.
"Rukia you know we love you, I love you and I just want to see you happy, and you haven't been that in a while, actually since Bya-ASS Kuchiki diss-owned you, and you might look like you're fooling everyone else but not me, you're all work no fun… like seriously if I don't threaten to do some kind of bodily harm to you, you won't even leave your apartment, you don't even try to meet new people,"
"Because I don't want to meet new people Ran, I- I am not looking for a quick fix Ran, I am just focusing and dealing with my own issues, like maybe the problem really lies with me, maybe I am the reason that Renji and those other guys hooked up with someone else besides me, maybe I did something to Byakuya why he did what he did,"
"Rukia, you can't believe that you're the cause of what he did, it's like you said, he got you into bed and he no longer needed you around."
"I-I…"
"Matsumoto…"
Came the stern sound of Nanao's voice,
"… Drop it to hell all… I've told you already to stop putting your nose in Rukia's business, we're her friends, we don't judge her or condescend how she lives her life and you need to respect that boundary, when she is ready to jump back in the dating game she'll tell us, if she wants to keep something's to herself then she is entitled to do so,"
"My concern for Rukia is not that of a nosy bitch, I'm her friend, I love her like the sister I never had, I just don't want to see her give up on finding the right guy because of one big self centred jackass pig, name Byakuya Kuchiki, she deserves far better,"
"And you miss know it all knows who that guy is… why don't you take a page from your own book and tell Toshiro about your side fling called Hisagi,"
"How dare you bitch…? I only told you about that because I needed to tell someone, I didn't want to tell Rukia because I didn't want to seem like I was rubbing my slutty life as you obviously are thinking in her face."
"You said it," Nanao snarled at her
Rukia mean while was lost, what the hell just happened, was happening, her two best friends were beginning to go at each other and it wasn't even about her anymore, of course she was glad, but she didn't want them to fight over silly things as such.
"Well excuse me miss 'I've only ever been with one man'... some of us need to try out different partners before we settle on that one,"
"Don't start me because you can't keep your shit in your pants, skirt or dress." Nanao flung back heatedly
"HEY- THE BOTH OF YOU SHUT IT…!" Rukia screamed above Rangiku's beginning high pitched cry.
Both women looked at her…
"What the hell are you two arguing for?"
"PFFT- ASK HER!" Ran said growling angrily.
"Oye…! This is not us, what in kami's name are you two tearing each other apart for?"
"You know what I think I need to go, cool off before I say things I will regret,"
"NO- NO- YOU'RE STAYING PUT AND YOU TO NAN, NO ONE LEAVES THIS DAMN TABLE WITHOUT US GETTING THINGS CLEARED UP IS THAT UNDERSTOOD LADIES?"
Rukia asked in a booming voice that made both Rangiku and Nanao do a double take, never ever had they heard Rukia raise her voice as such or look so intimidating.
"I SAID IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" she barked repeating her last sentence before.
"Yes…Yes," they both chorused together.
"Good now sit both your asses down and clean your plates, after which we're going to take the damn bottle of wine to the patio and chill out, by the end of it all we should be hugging and kissing like we always do,"
Rukia took her seat, before Nanao followed and then Rangiku, they ate in silence. Some minutes later Rukia rose first taking their empty plates along with hers over to the sink and rinsed them, before placing them in the dishwasher, and starting it.
Outside on the patio the three sat down in the lounge chairs, bottle of wine on the table their glasses filled for the moment. Rukia knew these two were stubborn like mules and she would have to break the tense atmosphere and it was easier to start with Ran because she was an easier person to get through to.
"Ran… who is Hisagi?"
Rangiku bowed her head, her blonde locks falling forward to cover her face, as her fingers gripped the glass tighter, she inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly she didn't look up as she spoke…
"Hisagi is someone I met in therapy, two months ago, we just got to talking because he had been through the same thing as I and like me he had taken a couple of sleeping pills as he contemplated ending his own life. I feel a connection with him, I feel a connection with Toshirou, but it's so different, he doesn't know about my past and I wonder if he would understand, he's like a stick in mud ninety percent of the time, sometimes I feel like I have to scheme to get him to step out of his comfort zone, not to mention he is three years younger than me."
"So are you in love with the both of them?"
"I have been trying to figure out that since Hisagi kissed me six weeks ago."
"And_"
"And nothing- yes he understands me, knows what I have been through, but is similar a good thing_? Anyway I think that's all we have in common, the hurt you know but Toshiro- with him its different, I don't have time to think about the past, some days I don't even feel the need to drink like I usually do when shit feels messed up, I don't even have time to think that he'll leave me for a younger girl, I just like being with him, and talking to him is easy, he challenges me in so many ways…"
"We have all been there at some point Ran; the important question though is-is there anything serious going on between you two do you want to see other people?"
"Kami no, I don't want to see other people, I think I consider Hisagi to be a friend, but I know I have to tell Toshirou about him, because he doesn't keep anything from me, he's totally open with me... brutally, and I also have to tell Hisagi that I don't reciprocate his feelings in that way, except that of a friend, which I know is going to probably crush him and then he wouldn't want to be my friend… he'd think I was leading him on, you know it's no secret that I am like the biggest flirt alive, damn my beautiful looks…" she said trying to lighten the tense feeling circling them.
"You are but still it's his lost, and you should do just what you just said, be honest because you might lose something or someone you took for granted,"
"Rr-Ran I'm sorry I blew things out of proportion,"
Nanao offered reaching for her hand on the table, Ran squeezed Nanao's fingers clasped in hers.
"Forget about it… I still love you,"
"And Ran whether I am going through a rough patch or not you can come, talk- to me and I guess if I am preaching that to you then I need to heed my own words… by that I mean coming clean about a couple things, because I trust you both to never repeat it to another living soul,"
"Of course we're sister's first," Ran and Nan said together their undivided attention focused on Rukia.
"Okay- here goes…" she began recapping what she had told them of what happened in Phuket to finally admitting how she was really the one that turned Byakuya against her.
"I knew there were things you didn't tell us… you get the fucking of your life and you turn around and tell the man he wasn't good in bed?"
"I started to, back then I was confused, you know my sister and other things, how was I to know that his feelings were genuine?"
"No offence but your sister has been dead a long time, and Byakuya was and still is fair game," Nanao offered stunning both women, that she would say something like that
"I agree with you Nan, and somehow I just don't think Kuchiki would be a poor performer between the sheets that man is cut like an Adonis… is he big as I imagine Ruk?"
"Depends on what's your definition of big,"
"I was thinking that he was at least a good eight in length max, seven minimum.
"Then you would be correct, about the max,"
"Ruuu-kiiia how could he possibly disappoint you?" Ran whined.
"I didn't say he did, for crying out loud,"
"So did what happen, really just boil down to fun for the both of you?" Ran and Nan asked thinking the same thing.
"I don't think so, I believed that he wanted more… even then I didn't believe my own words… I was really confused and scared of what next, he got the goods, why would he want to keep me around, and so I figured I should take in front first,"
"Oh honey, he really did put it good on you,"
"Stop focusing on the sex Ran,"
"Okay- we'll come back to it… oh wait…! Does that mean I have to apologize for keying his car?"
"Ran when did, you key his car?" both women asked in surprise
"Oh I didn't tell you all, it was the day after Rukia told us about what the ass did I was driving by and I saw him going into some store don't remember the name and I pulled over to the side, nearly caused a three car smash up in my haste… so I run across to his car and just ran the key three times over it end to end and then got back in my car and drove away."
"Did anyone see you?"
"Yeah I'm pretty sure that people saw me, how could they not, then again with a rack like mine people usually don't see anything else,"
"What color car?"
"It was platinum/ silver I think,"
"His Lamborghini Ran, you keyed his damn Lamborghini?"
"I don't know and don't care it was a Lamborghini, it could have been a Ferrari for all I care… the fucking ass deserved it then,"
"Ran I think he already knows it was you, but he didn't bother because he must have figured out that I told you what happened,"
"So should I apologize then?"
"No don't say anything, it's already buried in the past, don't ever mention it again,"
"Agreed… right so back to your dilemma, when a man like Byakuya, flies thousands of miles to find you, and almost confesses that he loves you then it has to be true, he really does care about you Rukia, he's grieved his wife and he was ready to move on with you, until you portrayed yourself like a skank… your words not mine,"
"Because I felt like one after, I felt so horrible afterwards, telling him that 'there wasn't anything more between us, and all that I am is a look alike to my sister, whom he wants to play house with, and pretend that its fucking 2003, which was a good year for him…' in those exact words
"No doubt they were the most hateful and hurtful words you could say to him, no wonder he'd think that low of you," Nan supplied with a tsk.
"Rukia, we're all entitled to some kind of happiness, and maybe someone else had him before, sometimes that person didn't make them as happy as the person they want to be with does now, but I would say that you made a big mess out of something so small, all you two had to do was talk, come to an understanding about your feelings, I think Byakuya would have understood if you wanted to take it slow, I've seen the way he looks at you and I have to say he does not see you as a sister in law, or his dead wife sister, or anything other than a woman… a woman that he desires and loves… wants to love… you two are so opposite of each other and that is what attracts you both to each other."
-.
"Preach it pastor Nan… preach it sister," Rangiku crowed cheerfully.
"But what about the other things I told him, you know about… me being a hot piece of ass to him and he the same to me, hell I all but told the man in no uncertain term that I don't want to move in with him, nor do I love or care for him in that manner, I pounded the fact that all we did was fuck- okay just fuck- and that it was plain and simple as that,"
"His ego was what suffered the most, now that you have both had time to think, I think he will understand that you were just scared then… unsure… the time apart will put things into perspective, he will be willing to listen to you," Nan said confidently
"So if I invited him to the opening do you think he would come?"
"It won't hurt to try; I believe it would also be the perfect opportunity for him to see just how much you have changed and grown, that you're- your own woman,"
"Okay then I will invite him; I really hope he accepts, I need to make amends,"
"Yes you do, and if the amends includes you two having sex at the end then you know he's never gotten over you," Ran offered with a wide silly grin plastered on her face.
"But what if he has, what if its revenge… what if that's what all this long played out game is about?"
"Then this time I promise I am going to Bankai his cock and balls of, if he dares to do such a thing, and serve him it as a smoothie after,"
"I second your action Ran, this time I will help you," Nan said in her no nonsense tone that meant she was very serious.
"Aww… you two are the best, but I don't think I am going to tell you all anything if anything else was to happen or not, I don't want you two ending up in jail,"
"We'll know, you can't lie like other people Rukia,"
"Yes I can,"
"NO…!" they both chorused
"Hmmff… you two only think you know me so well,"
"We do, now go get another bottle of wine," Nan said emptying the rest of the current bottle into her glass.
Rukia returned with the bottle of wine and said as she was opening the wine…
"Nan… what's your story?"
"What story, I'm not anything like you two; I have always wanted one man, which I got,"
"Are you for real, so what about all those other guys you dated before?"
"There was only one guy other than Kyo, infact he is a friend of Kyo, we had one date and it was during that time I met Kyo and that was it, infact we both knew I had met the one, Juushiro was very kind to introduce us and ever since we have been together."
"Juushiro- did you just say Juushiro…?"
"Yes, he is a long time friend of Kyo, they more or less run in the same circle, as a matter of fact Juushiro is getting married soon,"
Rukia remained silent, she couldn't believe it, what are the chances that Bya and Juushiro were also very good friends, should she say something, then again she didn't want to- not yet, maybe after, if Byakuya accepted her invitation then maybe, only then maybe,"
"Do you know Juu?" Nan asked looking at Rukia closely
"No- but Byakuya did mention a Juushiro being a close friend of his,"
"What a scream, both your boyfriends are connected to one Juushiro,"
"He's not by boyfriend… it's too soon to assume or say such things, and I don't know if we are even going out again,"
"But you would like to, I can tell so, don't be a fool and wait for him to ask you out again, call him up and ask, nothing wrong with a woman asking a man out,"
"Ran I hate to admit it but you're right, maybe I will call him and ask him out,"
"Good it's about damn time you take the initiative and snap up that man before someone else does,"
~TUESDAY~
Rukia had finally dredged up enough courage to call Byakuya, she had been wound tight all day, and several times as the minutes turned into hours she dialled his number but cleared it away. What was she going to say? Should she just jump straight to why she called? She had practised what to say and she hated how her voice sounded, sure she was nervous, like a little girl who didn't know how to tell her crush that she liked him.
At 7pm after another cold shower, and a long talk with herself she decided that she should just get it over with, she didn't have to make any fancy speech or give him an explanation, she was simply going to ask him to come Friday night if he had the time,"
"One…Two…Three…" she counted as she dialled his number from memory and placed her cell to her ear, listening as the phone began to ring,
"One… he's busy… Two… maybe he's still at work in a meeting… three… probably doesn't answer unknown numbers as she was about to hang up on the fourth ring, she heard his smooth, deep, husky voice filter through as though he was standing right next to her…
"Byakuya Kuchiki speaking_"
So not what she expected to hear, hello at least but not even a casual hello was offered after the announcement of his name,
"Uh- hello… Byakuya its Rukia, am I interrupting you?"
"No…what-achoo… " she heard him say and realised that he was probably sick; Rukia can't ever remember a day when Byakuya was sick… ever.
"Pardon, me Rukia," she heard his scratchy voice break through her thoughts…
"Byakuya are you sick?"
"Not that sick, just a case of the flu, my physician said I would be over it Friday at the latest, is-achoo," she heard waiting for him to finish what he was about to say.
"Pardon me… is there something you wanted Rukia?"
"Well I- uh… called to, um- you know what never mind, I hope you feel better soon,"
"Achoo- Pardon me… Rukia why did you call…?"
"It's not important anymore,"
"Of course it is or you wouldn't have called, and you're one in a handful that has this number to reach me directly… so again why did you call?"
"I was calling to invite you to the opening on Friday, it's from 7pm, but since you're sick and not really sure to recover in time I didn't feel the need to invite you now."
"Did I not say that I would recover by Friday?"
"Yes, but still you can't be certain about that,"
"Of course I am," he said arrogantly
"And what if you don't- then what?"
"We won't know that now will we?"
"It isn't necessary I bring someone with me,"
"So were you going to ask me to be your date or not?"
"Well-Um… yeah I guess that's what it would be, but it'd be a friend date, no strings attached and not an obligation that you need to keep,"
"Very well…"
-.
"Okay…?" she asked
"Yes okay, now go ahead and ask me,"
"But you just said okay,"
"Okay to-achoo… pardon me… I said okay to your explanation but you have yet to ask me?"
"Well- okay here goes, Byakuya would you accompany me to an opening this Friday at 7pm?"
"I accept shall I pick you up or would you like me to meet you there?"
"Um- I guess you can pick me up if it's not any inconvenience to you,"
"It isn't… what time should I stop by?"
"I'll be ready by 6pm so you can pick me up at 6:30; it's only a twenty minute drive from where I am if you don't get the lights."
"Very well 6:30 it is, and what is the dress code?"
"Dress code is semi formal, nothing to over the top,"
"Very well I'll dress accordingly."
"I- thank you Byakuya,"
"What are you thanking me for Rukia?"
"Well… for- um… accepting my invitation,"
"No thanks necessary," he said sneezing again
She waited then spoke…
-.
"Can I do anything to help; have you been able to eat?"
"I am managing well," he replied forcefully and she knew that he didn't mean it to sound like that, however she was sure that he was barely eating, being the proud swine that he was, she wondered if he was at the mansion or the condo, she'd bet that he was at the condo, he wouldn't want to bother anyone.
"Well- I uh- will ring again to see if you've made a full recovery," she said waiting for him to hang up which he didn't …she eventually ended the call after 30 seconds.
She then hurried to her room and changed out of her comfy sweats and tee in exchange for a jeans and sweater plus her leather jacket.
She brushed out her hair and grabbed up her purse leaving her apartment in a rush. She knew a great diner that had great soup; which is what he needed and she'd get him one of those along with something else, like salted crackers or maybe cookies, but not just any cookie his favorite was almond cookies and only Takazawa made them the way he liked so no to the cookies… crackers would do.
An hour later she pulled up into the building car-park, taking the bag from the front seat with her purchases, she moved to the elevator, it was surprising to learn that her fingerprint was still registered to give her access to the floor level that he occupied. She took a couple quick breaths, she hoped she was right that he was here; she raised her hand and knocked firmly. She waited slow long ticks of her timepiece… a full minute had passed before she knocked again…
She heard noise, a stifled cough followed by a sneeze, then the lock releasing as he opened the door, two dull, eyes stared back at her with a little flash of something, which she wasn't going to read too much into, she hoped he was happy or surprised at least to see her here,
-.
"Ru-kia…!"
"Hi- I guess you weren't really expecting anyone much less me huh?"
"That is true, still please come in," he said moving aside to allow her access.
"I brought you chicken soup and other things, because I didn't think you were actually eating,"
"I eat, just not much," he replied curtly before slowly retaking his seat on the sofa."
Rukia could tell that he was probably staying on the sofa by the look of things; the blanket kicked back, a waste basket full of tissue and a bottle of water and a smaller brown bottle sitting on the centre table next to his cell phone.
"I am sorry about coming over unannounced, it's just I kinda got a vibe that you weren't being honest with me about the severity of your flu."
"I didn't lie; I'm managing fine, just a little tired,"
"Because you haven't eaten properly,"
"I do eat when I have to take those stupid pills that is suppose to help me get better quickly,"
"How long have you been sick?"
"Monday I woke up feeling feverish, it serves me right to for jumping into the cold water, without cooling of properly."
"Well I want to stay and help you if I can, but if you rather I leave then just say so,"
"No- I… please stay I would like the company," he said looking away from her.
"Okay- do you want some of the soup now?"
"Yes-please…"
Hearing Byakuya speak in such a manner was really a weird thing, he was really uncomfortable with it all, but he was making an effort for some reason. She went about serving him some of the soup and set it on the centre table on a place mat, along with some crackers on a plate.
"Thank you for coming over Rukia,"
"It's no trouble at all," she replied as he started eating the soup. She tried really hard not to watch him eating or to think how beautiful he looked with his hair all messy and falling in his face; ever so often he'd tuck a few loose strands behind his ear. She also tried not to think about his puckered, soft kissable lips as they blew gently to cool the soup before sipping it. Red nose, light dark circles under the eyes and all he still was the most handsome man she's ever laid eyes on.
She busied herself by taking an interest in other things in the room, she walked over to the huge floor to ceiling windows with its perfect view of the city below, it really was a beautiful sight to behold, she'd never really seen the view like this through her smaller windows, then again the drapes were always closed most of the time anyway. She turned to catch a quick look at him, but met with grey eyes watching her.
-.
"Is something wrong?" she asked
"No,"
"Do you not like the soup?"
"Yes, did you make it?"
"No… but I took a wild guess and hoped really that you would like it, because I also eat it a lot, when I am too lazy to cook during the week, honestly if it wasn't for us taking turns to host a Sunday dinner I'd probably be living in Mr LeiPei kitchen,"
"No wonder you eat so much,"
"I eat enough; a salad alone won't do me any good,"
"I wasn't complaining, so were you out with friends before you came over?" he asked stifling yet another sneeze.
"Uh- no I was home and like I said I just got a vibe that you weren't really eating,"
"Do you always follow that vibe feeling when it hits you?"
"It's rare," she answered truthfully
"Could I bother you to make me some tea then please?"
-.
"Not a bother at all, I'm here to help," she said moving to the kitchen where she found the tea easily, she recognized the label, it was the only tea she could ever remember him drinking, 'Matcha Koicha green tea' a couple minutes later she had a tray laden with a kettle of hot water, the tin sachet of powder tea and two saucers with teacups.
She set his cup down and poured the water for him, then for herself, finally taking a seat on the single sofa.
"Thank you," he said taking up his cup of tea
They drank their tea in silence, before suddenly Byakuya spoke grabbing her attention…
"Rukia, I have to take two of those pills, they also make me very drowsy, knocking me out for at least six hours, and I apologize in advance if my company isn't welcoming… however you are welcome to stay or leave, and the guest room is already made up."
"I'll consider it, let's get you bundled in," she said clearing away their dishes, when she turned back around Byakuya wasn't there. She needed to use the toilet she cut her eyes to her time piece, it was just approaching 10:30. When she returned Byakuya was once more sitting on the sofa.
"I thought you went to bed,"
"I needed to brush my teeth," he said shaking two pills out and downing it with two mouthful of water. He then swung his legs up stretching out, head cushioned by the plush pillow, eyes closed.
Rukia had considered leaving once he was in bed, but she didn't want to now, she wanted to stay and see him through till the morning. She checked to see if he was really sleeping, the gentle touch of her hands on his forehead didn't even get him to stir; she smiled, pulling the blanket over him, Kami how she loved him and wanted to be with him…was she sick in the head for thinking that a sick Byakuya was simply adorable?
She returned to the single sofa, pulling her feet up to rest her chin on her knee as she watched him sleep, he seemed so peaceful, so warm, he just looked perfect, unable to resist the urge she took out her phone snapped a pic more like three and then texted her two friends to let them know that she was out and wouldn't be home till tomorrow and no she was not sleeping with anyone but merely helping a sick friend and she may turn her cell-phone off. After that she just continued to watch him, the rise and fall of his chest steadily, and it was like that she fell asleep.
~5am
Byakuya stirred from his drowsy slumber. He took the needed seconds to get his bearing organized then slowly pulled the cover of and swung his feet down. He actually felt a bit better; the light headedness was definitely gone for now. He wondered if Rukia had stayed the night, flipping his hair from his face as he raised his head, his question was answered. She was asleep on the single lounge sofa, feet pulled up to her chin, arms tucked into her body head resting on the left arm rest comfortably,
He felt his parched lips pulling into a small smile as a strange feeling filled him, warming him from the insides. He couldn't help but think how cute she looked, he just wanted to take her in his arms and back to his bed and lay there with her. He didn't know how, but suddenly his phone was in his hand and he was taking a picture of her sleeping form. Was that normal or weird, it certainly wasn't like him, but he was glad that he had captured such a moment to remember always. He placed his phone down and got up, he lifted her in his arms and took her to the guest bedroom and tucked her in, resisting the urge to get in behind her, and he certainly didn't want her to catch his cold, it would be a tragedy if she was unable to attend the opening she might blame him on some level and herself to… also he didn't want her to miss her friends opening, from the way she had talked about it, it was to be a very important moment for them.
Rukia smiled in her sleep, mumbling softly before she rolled over onto her side, hugging the other pillow tightly to her, he reached out to move the hair that had fallen in her face, but stopped, he shouldn't, he didn't want her to wake and find him hovering over her, it would probably creep her out. He turned off the light and closed the door gently, heading to his own room.
Byakuya showered at length, enjoying the cold water on his hot skin, made hot by his still slight fever and thoughts of Rukia and kissing her, and caressing her smooth flawless skin and other things. He then decided to make himself something to eat, before taking the non drowsy daytime tabs as prescribed. He set about and started with some plain steamed rice, then quickly prepared some Okayu and then prepared the following basic ingredients of soft tofu, chopped green onion, scallion greens, wakame seaweed, while the oil hot for the aburaage and the other pan hot to begin making the Misoshiru.
-.
While the Miso soup cooked on a low fire he prepared some Natto beans from a tin with iri-zake, karashi mustard, and ao-nori with light seasoning of sea salt and herbs. After which he took the same amount of time to prepare a side dish of ajitsukenori rice balls and Tamagoyaki. Placing the dishes on the kitchen table to get started on the fish, the prepacked salted salmon fish didn't take long to broil, as he emptied a bottle of Tsukemono and umeboshi placing them next on the table. The last dish he prepared was the eggs sunny side up Rukia liked sunny side up eggs.
"Kami where is that wonderful smell coming from…?" He heard the familiar voice ask behind him, startling him a bit.
"Rukia_"
"Bya-bo are- you the one cooking up that storm…?"
"I was simply preparing breakfast, I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"You didn't it was the delicious aroma of the food, Kami you can actually cook,"
"I try when I have to, would you like to join me for breakfast?"
"I would, thank you," she said taking a seat around the well set table, her eyes roving, while her mouth was literally watering just looking at the colorful array of dishes set on the table.
Breakfast was enjoyable with light chatter in between, but Byakuya most enjoyed the way Rukia didn't shy away from eating to her heart's content. After she had showered and changed into a simple Capri shorts, tee-shirt and clean underwear… clothes that she had stored away in her trunk in case of whatever. Rukia asked Byakuya to accompany her to a nearby park, insisting that he needed to get some fresh air and some sun at 9 am in the morning.
The park was near empty for a Wednesday morning except for a few walking their dogs and exercising. They chose to sit in the shade at the edge of the park. Byakuya made sure to keep ample space between them, and every so often shifted away when Rukia got to close.
Rukia of course noticed this and spoke up after her third attempt to get close to him…
"I'm not going to bite you Bya."
"Beg your pardon…"
"You keep moving away whenever I get closer to you and it's annoying the hell out of me."
"I am sorry I do not wish to annoy you, but I just don't want you catching my bug since we have a date for Friday."
"I am aware of that, but still… don't move away… I just want to sit close to you, I'm not actually touching you or anything else, I know that I dare not reach for your hand, because I don't think you'd want me to hold it just because I want to, because you said we'd go slow, but I didn't think you meant this slow…"
"You want to hold my hand- in public?"
"Yeah- and I'd also like to kiss you to, but I'll wait till your over the flu,"
"I- uh…" he wasn't sure what to say so he slowly and shyly reached for her hand resting on the bench between them,"
-.
"Awkward…?" she asked with a small smile looking down at her feet.
"Not all that much," he said squeezing their laced fingers tighter looking at something far away
"Can I ask you something?" she said turning her gaze up to him
"Yes," he replied still looking straight ahead, afraid to look at her, because he didn't think he'd be able to resist stealing one kiss, which was risky,
"Why did you really come after me in Phuket?"
"The truth…?" he said still looking straight ahead
"Yes," she replied placing her head against his arm since she couldn't reach his shoulder even though they were sitting.
"It is a combination of a lot of things, work, and misplaced Kuchiki pride among those but the real reason was you I missed you really… not what you were expecting to hear is it?"
"Certainly not which is why I am going to ask stupidly…But why, when you have always kept me at ocean wide lengths, we never talked much except for work, we haven't interacted much since my twenty first birthday, since I purposely kissed you,"
"I thought you were drunk?"
"I was a bit but I also knew what I was doing, I meant to do it, if only to ruffle a few of your feathers,"
"You did and well I'm glad that we're starting over now, because I'm sure about my feelings though I have been for a long time."
"Are you serious… you have liked me so long… wait how long?"
"It started when you really hit twenty."
"So why didn't you say something, why make me date all those other guys and waste time, not that there was a lot, but still?"
"I just didn't think you'd ever see me that way, and I am also older than you by a lot,"
-.
"Age would never be an issue and I didn't see you that way, not till I started comparing every guy to you unfortunately which wasn't much, kind (if you want to be) handsome, very intelligent, charming and sexual, impeccably dressed and the list goes on, unfortunately none would measure up to you in anyway."
"Because you have to be born a Kuchiki or made a Kuchiki to measure up to me," he said imperiously.
Rukia couldn't help but laugh at his deadpan reply
"Rukia I have to ask…"
"What is it?"
"Would your friends Miss Matsumoto and Miss Ise, have a problem with me being there?"
"No… they don't hate you-you know… and you know how they are sometimes… also would it surprise you even more to know that they were the ones who encouraged me to invite you in the first place,"
"It does- I don't know who's scarier between Miss Matsumoto and Miss Ise," he replied gently
"Don't worry, over protective they maybe, but sweet and kind and we tell each other almost anything, they are fine with you coming there, and they have promised to not go Bankai on you yet, so that's progress,"
"Bankai…? Sounds ominous should I hire a bodyguard just in case?"
"No, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, just stick with me and everything will be fine."
"Thank you for inviting me… Rukia,"
"I should be thanking you for accepting, because I had only planned to stay there for the cutting of the ribbon and then get out of there,"
"You didn't want to invite anyone else to be your date?"
"No, the thing is in all honesty I haven't been interested in any other man not since you, I pretty much know what I want… what I've wanted all, along."
"Is that so?"
"Yes… I am sure that it's you and that I also love you, you just make me feel complete in a way that reminds me that you're who I've been missing to make me feel this complete, I am absolutely sure that I really do love you old or reinvented."
"Thank you for saying that, I would emphasize my heartfelt joy by kissing you speechlessly, but I don't want to pass on my germs to you when Friday is just two days and some hours away."
"I won't get sick over night you know,"
"Still I don't want to chance- it."
"Can I at least kiss you on the cheek?"
"If you wish to,"
"I do," she said reaching up and kissing his cheek inhaling his deep masculine musk.
"Can I kiss the other?" Rukia asked shyly.
"The other what?" he asked a scowl appearing on his features.
"Your other cheek…"
"But…" he paused… "If you wish," he finished trying to hide his smile by turning his face away.
Of late he found it hard to keep his stoic mask in place when around her.
Rukia smiled inward as she reached up and kissed his neck instead. The chaste touch was enough to jolt Byakuya awake…
"That isn't my cheek Rukia," he said blushing madly, his skin burning instantly hotter.
"Oh… well let me try again…" she said reaching up but kissed the spot right where his pulse was hammering against his pale beautiful skin.
Both of them didn't miss the groan that escaped his lips
"… Even sitting you're still taller than me, let me try again," she said climbing into his lap and finally kissing his cheek.
"There…" she said with a wicked smirk
"I believe it's time we should be getting back as you probably have things to do as do I?" though he didn't make a move to remove his hand cradling her lower back or her from his lap.
"Are you mad at me?"
"No… I am enjoying the park to much,"
She laughed loudly and the sound to him was musical and enchanting, he could never grow tired or annoyed at her laughter.
"Are you going into the office?"
"No I will finish working from home, just a few minor things that need my attention, even though Mrs. Tanoka is overseeing things well.
"Can I stop by anytime later to check on you,"
"If you wish,"
"I do,"
"Very well I look forward to your visit,"
After he had watched her tail lights disappear Byakuya, wished that the damn elevator would already get to his floor. Once there he hurried to the bathroom and got in under the cold water fully clothed. It had taken a lot of self restraint to not give in and rush her back to the apartment and to his bed to ravish her, after her merciless teasing. His neck still burned where her lips had touched him, he groaned as his cock refuse to go down quietly. He didn't want to touch himself like that, very soon he promised he would be in her and it would be worth the wait, because Rukia sure as hell was making it quite obvious that she wanted the same thing as he.
