For the Bleach Romance Fanfiction Contest here is my ByakuyaXOrihime entry! Hope you all like it. I kinda rushed all on the last day! Ah well, Enjoy!

Strength can co-exist with beauty.

*~':'~*

Orihime had not been in Seireitei long. It had been awkward for her to seek Rukia's help and it had sapped the last of her courage and determination. She could now feel the inadequacy and uselessness that had driven her to seek help seeping back in. The grandeur of the Kuchiki manor did not help any; instead it served only to belittle her more.

She sighed anxiously and looked around. Outside there was a garden. The green foliage soothing to her eyes and healing to her soul, Orihime paused. The garden looked inviting, a place where she could relax and try to rethink her path. Glancing around the mansion she nodded, the prestige was too overbearing for her.

In the garden the mossy ground felt soft beneath her feet. It was like stepping into another world, a calmer and less worried one. The path was wide enough for two people. It wound past exotic flowers and was canopied by tall statuesque trees. A breeze played a light symphony with the leaves allowing the evening light to pour through and brighten the way. Finally wandering around a corner Orihime came to an open space. It was a small area with a bench in the middle and the garden surrounding. Behind the bench were two large willow trees. Their branches leaned down and swept the ground obscuring any view past them.

Closing her eyes Orihime took in the ethereal aura of the garden. As she listened and quieted her soul she heard the lapping of water, but there was no water in the garden. She looked around and followed the sound, curious now. Quickly she forgot her worries as she moved towards the bench. The water was beyond the willow trees. She could hear it clearer the closer she went. Carefully she moved the branches out of her way and stepped through.

Before her was a pond. The evening sky reflected on the glassy water in an array of deep purples and exotic pinks. Tall trees lined the edges of the pond and large white birds floated atop. The birds produced a cooing sound and their white was offset by orange plumage. Orihime stood in awe until the silence was broken by a strong, quiet voice.

"Orihime..."

The girl jumped, her reverie broken. She turned to find where the voice had come from and found Byakuya. He was sitting on another bench by the water and had obviously been watching the beautiful site as well. Rukia's brother watched her with the same cold look he gave everyone.

Flustered and embarrassed, Orihime began spilling out words. "Oh, hi Kuchiki Taicho! I was just wandering around. Not looking for anyone! I'm not lost either! I… just, just…"

"What are you here for?"

Her lips tightened and in his presence she felt herself quickly becoming smaller. He was so intimidating, but she had to answer. "To become stronger," she said weakly.

Orihime's eyes fell from his face and she felt the overwhelming sense of failure fall upon her again. The silence in the air was stifling and she almost turned to leave when he spoke this time in a commanding tone.

"What are you doing in the garden?"

In her own uneasiness, Orihime did not know what to expect of the noble. At that she was not even thinking about him, but scrambling to pull herself together. The question caused her to think of what had happened earlier that day and the euphoria of it drove her fears away. Suddenly, she was no longer afraid as she related her afternoon in the garden.

Slowly she walked closer to Byakuya until finally she sat down on the bench next to him; still going on about the garden and its beauty. Byakuya listened quietly half amused and half annoyed. Even he was accountable to the emotion of pride and the young girl next to him spoke beautifully of his garden.

When she sat next to him it was not a breach in protocol, like the young Kurosaki's insistence to call him informally. It felt odd and out of place, though. Sitting next to her on the bench, Byakuya was disturbed and enlightened. It wasn't like sitting next to Rukia, his beloved little sister. Next to Orihime he felt foreign almost inadequate, as though he was missing a softer aspect of himself.

There on the bench he felt how out of contact he was with others. It would not be something to bother him long though. As the darkness of night overcame the pond fireflies began to appear. Orihime let out a breath of amazement and looked over at Byakuya. Her face was soft and her voice warm. "Kuchiki-san, what is your favorite time to be at the pond?"

He glanced at her and caught curious blue eyes with his. "In the evening."

Byakuya stood to leave after his short, curt answer. Receiving the praise of the young woman was nice, but he would not bear questions, of any silly kind, from the Ryoka. Especially personal ones, she was obviously becoming too comfortable around him. When he stood she followed and another question came forth. Orihime issued the words from her mouth with an innocence, that was sweet and endearing in its curiosity. "Kuchiki-san, why do you like the pond in the evening?"

Byakuya stopped and looked back at her with his familiar cold glare. She missed it as she looked back at the surface of the pond. Turning around Orihime overlooked his stare until she got closer. Uneasiness swept over her again and she tripped. He caught her.

Byakuya knew that he was the cause for her uneasiness; he remembered her answer to his question. Still holding her in his arms, Byakuya watched her eyes widen in surprise. Orihime tried to speak, but the words would not come forth. Inwardly he sighed and this time he talked.

"It's beautiful. Only in the evening do the fireflies come out and illuminate everything. They bring out and highlight the strengths of the pond that are otherwise understated in the brightness of day. Notice how daunting the trees are, how great they are. The rocks jet out on the edges upholding the trees. The glassy surface supports the magnificent birds and protects the sleek koi.

These are just a few things that co-exist with the beauty of the pond. They allow the beauty to shine forth. Therefore when beauty exists there is strength."

Orihime soaked in his words as her hands rested on his chest. Byakuya was still holding her and as the silence lingered Orihime felt herself drawn to him. The light from the fireflies displayed the noble curves of his face before her eyes. As she watched him and traced his face in her mind, Orihime felt the man take her hand.

He led her out of his hold and allowed her to support herself. Orihime felt light as though she was in a dream. She watched his face which was neither warm nor cold towards her, it was blank and she wondered what he could have been thinking. Time passed and Orihime felt him let go of her hand. He gave an unnoticeable nod and walked on with Orihime at his side.

Tonight under the moonlight, Orihime noticed that the strong silence surrounding the Kuchiki was beautiful.

*~':'~*

There is strength even in beauty.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Anynymys1