A/N: Here's the new chapter for you eager readers. Sorry for the long delay.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Waking from a sleepy haze, Rukia slowly opened her eyes, peering at an unfamiliar ceiling. When she tried to sit up, she found that her body felt a bit weak. Confused by this, it was a moment before she remembered everything previous to her blackout. She'd finally called her zanpakuto. Now that she had a moment, she relished her newfound achievement. Eager to look at her new weapon, she peered around for her zanpakuto and found it lying right beside the futon. Picking it up, she held it above her and observed it.
Though it looked to be a normal katana now, she remembered its true beauty. When called it became entirely pure white, from its blade to the long ribbon that formed from the pommel. It was the most beautiful sword she'd ever seen and it belonged to her.
She whispered its name. "Sode no Shirayuki."
At once, an elegant woman with pale hair appeared, sitting at her side. She gave Rukia a soft smile. "You have fared well upon your first time calling me."
"I feel weak, how is that faring well?"
"It's to be expected. The amount of reitsu taken upon your first time calling me weakened you. It will not happen next time."
"What was that place you were in?"
"You're soul. That is the realm in which I reside. "
Rukia sighed. "Ah, great. So you're telling me I have a cold, dark soul. Good to hear."
Sode No Shirayuki gave a small laugh. "No, that is not the case. It does not directing mean what it appears." She peered in the direction of the door. "The young lord approaches."
She disappeared just as the door slid open. Shutting the door behind him, Byakuya walked over to sit beside the futon she lay on.
"You're finally awake. I thought I was going to have to call Captain Unohana."
"How long have I been out?"
"Two days."
Nodding, she peered around the room. "Where am I?"
"One of the guest rooms in my home."
She should have known. The room was much too spacious and elegant to be anything but a noble's residence. She was much too tired to stare in awe like she usually would. Even after two years of befriending Byakuya, she'd never actually entered his home. After training on the Kuchiki training grounds, she'd usually head back to her room at the academy. Despite her curiosity, she was aware that it was not her place to wonder around a noble's home. She may be considered Byakuya's friend, but she was still a lowly commoner.
Looking out the nearby window, she could see that night was closely approaching. "I'd better get back to the academy." When she attempted to stand, pain shot through her body and all her muscles gave out. She would have collapsed if not for Byakuya catching her. He slowly set her back on the futon so that she was lying on her back.
"You're still too weak to move around. Give it a few more hours and you'll be good as new. You have permission to stay here until then." He gave her a look that denied any arguments. Satisfied that she would stay put, he bid her goodnight and left the room.
She attempted to return to sleep, but it completely evaded her. After two hours of counting sheep then staring at the ceiling, she slowly sat up. Moving across the room, she gently slid open the door and peered outside to see if anyone was around. With no sign of another person, she stepped out the room and closed the door behind her then slowly stepped off the veranda to journey into garden. The moonlight provided enough light for her to follow a path to a small pond. Lounging on the bench, she gingerly trailed a hand through the water.
This reminded her a bit of her lifestyle in the Rukongai. She'd often slept outside under the stars, either on the roof of a hut or a thick branch in a tree. Except, now she didn't need stay on alert and worry about criminals sneaking up on her. She felt she could relax here. It was one of the reasons why she enjoyed her visits to train at the Kuchiki residence. It always gave her a welcome feeling. Almost like a home.
But it wasn't her place to say such things. This was not her home and could never be. A commoner such as her would never have a chance at such a luxury. She could only be thankful that she had such a friend as Byakuya and cherish the moments while she could. One day, Byakuya would find a woman who would claim this wonderful place as the lady, and most likely, bring a conclusion to Rukia's moments here.
For some reason, the thought really irritated her and caused a clench in her gut. She scrunched her brows. Was it because she would potentially lose a good friend?
Probably. Yeah, that had to be it.
Before she could further ponder it, a noise from behind startled her and she quickly sat up, darting her around in the direction of the sound. She made a reach for her zanpakuto, but realized she left it in her room. She relaxed though when she realized who it was and even scowled at him for startling her.
Byakuya stood a few feet away on the stone path. "You should be asleep."
She shrugged. "Couldn't."
He came to sit beside her on the bench, uncaring whether she wanted the company or not. In the silence, they just observed the stars. Well, at least, Rukia did. Byakuya found himself gazing at her out the corner of his eye. She looked radiant in the moonlight; especially in the pale kimono he'd had the maids put on her to replace the tattered shihakusho. It gave her an appealing glow that contrasted to her raven-black hair.
He was glad to see that her pale skin was void of any injuries or bruises from their battle. He'd personally healed the worst of her wounds with kidou right after she collapsed then the smaller ones after she'd been cleansed and changed. Though he was aware of the affects of first calling your zanpakuto, when she'd failed to awaken after several hours, he'd been worried far more than he would ever tell her. He'd truly been close to demanding Captain Unohana's presence. A huge relief had come over him when he'd seen that she had awakened.
Byakuya was startled when Rukia suddenly leaned against his shoulder. Annoyed by the feel of heat forming on his face, he cut a glance at her face. Realizing she'd fallen asleep, he felt a bit disappointed. Wait, why would he be disappointed?
Shaking away the thought, he gently picked her up and flash-stepped to her room to lay her in the futon. What the heck was wrong with him? First he was staring at her then he was blushing at her touch?
Maybe he was sick. He should probably check with a healer to make sure he wasn't catching something.
A/N: I really hope you liked it. I thought it up within a day 'cause I didn't want to keep the eager readers waiting any longer. (I know how they feel.) Let me know what you think. Also let me know if a made grammar problems or something. I didn't feel like reading over it.
