Part 6

"We have one place left to go." she looked up at a hill.

The sun was setting over Seireitei when they got to the top of the hill. The 78th looked far off behind them.

"I did not think one could see Seireitei so well from here." he commented.

"Yes its always been a view of a different life just out of reach. That's why they are here. Sato, Higa, Eto this is my ni-sama Kuchiki Byakuya he takes really good care of me." she said looking down at three large stones. Byakuya stayed behind her and just watched.

"No one will starve in our hut today." she said to them. She knelt down and placed the flowers Kohaku had given her on each grave. She offered a prayer for each of them.

"I miss all of you very much. You don't have to worry about me and Renji, were doing well and we promise to keep doing well so you can rest. Renji is sorry he couldn't be here but he will come soon."

She stood up and stared out into the distance clenching her fists, not facing Byakuya.

"Sato died first we buried him here ourselves. All of us came her a lot. It was always so peaceful. He came down with a fever, we begged the doctor to come but we could not pay. Sato didn't make it through the night. Higa and Eto were both killed when Higa got caught steeling money from a prominent merchant. I warned them it was too ambitious a heist. Renji and I stayed out of it. Renji had grown so tall he carried both of them up this hill. It took us all day to dig both graves. When we were done I had, had enough. Let's become soul reapers, I told him. I don't remember how long we stood there holding each other. We were both so determined to get into the academy……." she trailed off now weeping heavily.

Byakuya had turned her to face him. She grabbed onto his uniform with both hands and pulled herself close to him. Surrounding her with his arms, he kissed her on the head which made her quiet but she stiffened and gave him a questioning look. She didn't break contact this time.

"Thank you." she said sincerely.

"There's no need to thank me." he said stroking her hair and then placing his hand on her face so she would look only at him.

"I…I'm glad were friends now, is it really ok for us to be friends, I mean someone like you and me?"

"Rukia there are things I wish to discuss with you. I am unsure how to go about this."

She continued looking up at him, confusion written all over her face.

"Rukia I have had feelings for you for a long time. At first I did not think it right. But I was unable to overcome them."

"What exactly are you saying?"

"Hmm you can be so difficult. What I am trying to say is that I miss you when you are away. I am jealous when you are with another. I have no right to ask you to stay away from other men. I'm selfish and spoiled Rukia. I want you for myself. I want to spend the rest of my life protecting you, holding you. I want you to be mine." his expression never changed, never showed a hint of emotion then he looked away.

"I will understand if you do not share these feelings and wish for our relationship to stay as it has been." he said not looking at her.

Her eyes widened and reflected the little of the sunlight still visible over the horizon. She put her hand on his face and turned him to look at her, she stared directly into his grey eyes.

"I've wanted you to say that to me for so long. I never thought you would, could feel that way about me. I felt so guilty for feeling that way about you and so stupid."

"So you share these feelings?" he pulled her closer then they already were.

"Yes." she exhaled.

"I love you Rukia."

"I love you too."

The gaze between them was intense and focused. He moved his hand back to her face and tilted her chin upwards. He claimed her mouth hungrily. The years of ice between them melted away as their mouths moved against each others.

"I guess there's going to be another reason to come back and visit this hill." she said

"Yes the place we first kissed. I'll not forget this day."

"Although Renji might be with us next time we come here. If he is still speaking to me when he finds out about us."

"I think he will forgive you anything. You are still friends with an unbreakable bond." he assured her.

"However we do have to talk about how much time you spend with him."

"You wont forbid me to see him, will you?"

"No, I just want more of your time and to see a little less physical contact. I dislike watching him touch you." he answered her.

"I think that can be arranged. I don't know how anyone will take this though. How will we tell them? They will be shocked." she was starting to become worried realizing the situation.

"I would not worry about it. The elders will not dare object since you have been in the family for so long. As soon as we return we will sign the marriage documents. Grandfather will witness, and the announcement will come in the morning. No one will have time to object. Then everyone can deal with it as they will." He told her.

"How will we ask grandfather for permission? What if he says no?" she was still concerned.

"We have already spoken of my intent toward you, he has long ago approved, as long as you were fully willing. He raised me so I wasn't shocked when he approached me and asked about my feelings for you. He had already noticed how I was looking at you and gave me a warning about keeping my jealousy better hidden." he said to her.

" What about everyone else? People will ask questions, what do I tell them? There's no way avoiding the word incest." she wondered

"Tell them anything you want, tell them that you seduced me married me for my money." he chuckled out loud.

"What? Did you just make a joke?" she was genuinely shocked.

"Rukia we are not blood related. Many people in the noble houses are closely related by blood. I have even seen a real brother and sister marry on one occasion. So I would not worry about anyone who uses such foul language." he paused.

"And Rukia I promised the elders an heir." he said seriously.

"I think we can work on that." she kissed him on the side of his mouth.

Then he kissed her fully on the lips, not letting her go like she would fly away if he did.

"When we return I shall write the king about the condition of this place. We are normally forbidden to interfere here but I think he can be persuaded to start a program for these children." he said to her.

"I hope so. I know lots of people who came from places like this. They would gladly help out wherever they could."

"It is time to go home." he took her hand.

"Yeah it is. We have a whole life ahead of us, one that's finally in reach." she said, her smile beaming as they turned to leave.

The end

I posted it all at once because I don't like to leave anything unfinished.