SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT!

(X 3) I've been so busy with summer things and getting ready for high school that I got sidetracked. I also have camp next week so the next chapter will be after that.
I hope you enjoy this chapter, and PLEASE send me some reviews! You don't even have to send me a review, just send me a message! That's IT!!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but dirty white shirts… just no Bleach. (Sniff)


Three Days

Tale awoke the next morning to find her lover's bed empty for other than herself. The sun was barely peeking through the horizon's clouds, but she knew she'd have to get up and make it back to her squad before the others awoke. She sat up, the sheet falling to show her maroon red robe that covered her body. They looked like blood compared to the snow-white sheets under her. There was something bothering her but she couldn't but a finger on what.

She lifted a hand to brush it through her loose hair when something cold and metal like touched her hairline. She brought her hand down staring at her fingers, when she saw a faint glint from the corner of her eye. The golden orbs widened before softening and a small smile graced her lips. There was the small triangular diamond resting between the white-gold metal. How Juushiro had afforded it was beyond her reasoning, but she let what be, be. Her main question was how did he know her ring-size?!

The noble sighed and stood from the futon, straightening out her robe. The red fabric smoothed out under her hands and took its regular placing over her curves. Tale grabbed the small strap of fabric from beside the bed and placed it in her hair to keep the dark violet treads from her eyes. After doing so, the girl made sure to rub the sleep from her golden-amber eyes and walked to the front of the small home.

A low mist hung over the pond surrounding her and the moisture stuck to the silk of her robe forcing it to stick to her body more. Tale wrapped her arms around her body and disappeared from the front door, making sure to close it soundlessly, with a few strides of shunpo. She disappeared over the tall ten foot fence and into the empty streets of the Seireitei. Within only minutes she was in her room and dressing her the day. Today she would meet with Jun, the man she would marry within only three days time, and the Council of Nobles, also. Although she had her own personal meeting with someone she knew very well…

Ryu raced through the streets quickly, looking for his sister but coming upon an unsuccessful quest. No one had seen her and they both had an important meeting to go to within only an hour! It took that long, and longer, to get to their home and get ready. Where was the bloody woman?!

"Kyouraku-taichou!" the lieutenant called out to the laid back man who sat on his office's roof. Shunsui tilted his hat to look at the boy, but only chuckled and continued resting. Ryu took a few seconds to catch his breath before straightening his back. "Have you seen my sister? I can't find her anywhere and she's late for-"

"For some important meeting with some important some bodies, I'm guessing?" Ryu closed his gaping mouth; nodding to the man in saying he was correct. "She told me she would be late and not to fret. Tale also told me that she had a surprise for you, but I won't tell you what." The youngest of the Shihouin siblings growled in frustration before bowing to his higher up and disappearing. Oh what did his sister do this time?

Tale sat before Yukon Jun and the Council of the Nobles. Ryu would give slight glances from the corner of his liquid-gold eyes before turning them, quickly, back to the front and to the wall behind the group. Tale's hands were folded into her kimono sleeves, which was unusual since she always had them in her lap. Ryu only shook his head mentally to leave the thought for another time, and turned back to the current conversation.

"…and also, you must not be late, or there shall be severe consequences!" Tale only nodded at the shouted command. Lately she had made it a habit of being late to meetings like these. Ryu was going to find out why, too, but he would wait until they were out of the confines of their home to do so. Both of the Shihouin siblings' parents sat out to the side, watching the meeting that went on, nodding in agreement to some things, but not saying a word.

Jun sat to the side of the Council, yet still in front of them, with a large smug smirk that only Tale and Ryu could see. Tale may have not had any emotion on her face, but her golden eyes held the hatred of a thousand suns, moons, and all the stars in the sky of all three worlds. The rest of the meeting flew by, a few more details about the ceremony and honey-moon. Soon enough, the two nobles were dismissed and leaving the room.

As soon as the duo had turned a few corners, Ryu was stopped by a hand, and the familiar silky fabric of Tale's peach-colored kimono covered his face. He quickly, but carefully, pulled it away and gave his older sister a hard glare. The dark-violet haired captain only grinned smugly at him before folding her arms and leaning on her hip. Ryu rolled his eyes but sighed in defeat and nodded. This was usual, she would run away with her Shihakushou already under her kimono, and do whatever she wanted. Ryu would return to fabric to the maids who would gush and scowled the girl, but not dare say a thing to her face.

Just the thought made him laugh a bit.

"Alright, alright, I'll keep a watch out." Tale grinned and hugged her brother quickly before disappearing from the hall and to who knows where. Ryu sighed and began to fold up the material carefully; not wanting to damage it or the maids would have its hide. As he did so, a soft plop was heard, which made Ryu looked down. Resting on the ground was a folded not, the familiar handwriting of his sister pecking out the side.

Ryu bent down, picking up the note and reading through the few sentences it held. After reading it the first time, the noble had to read a second, a third, and soon a fourth time to fully take in its contents. Ryu growled with frustration and quickly ripped up the parchment, letting it blow away from a nearby window. He handed the folded kimono to a nearby maid and disappeared to find his sister.

Tale sat with her eyes closed, long violet hair blowing in the small breeze as she took deep breaths. Her legs were crossed together, her hands resting on her knees, and the bare blade sword before her resting nestled in the short soft grass. Her brow was bent in concentration as she tried going from this one to another she knew quite well. But all she felt was the warm glare of the sun beat down on her from inside of the shade of the trees that surrounded her.

"What is it, kit?" Tale's eyes snapped open at the warm, gruff voice before feeling a soft touch of fear on her arm. She turned her head to see the barely transparent image of a snow-white tiger rubbing against her side. Small gray freckles coated the fur here and there, but most of the color was bland white, the three tails swishing back and forth. Although she never got why Shiroitora's eyes were as red as the actual color of blood; it sometimes even frightened her.

"I have something to ask you," the large feline nodded before making his way to sit in front of his handler.

"You may speak, child."

Tale sighed, scratching at her head as she thought of how to word her own words. So many thoughts, only a few words that could actually make an understandable sentence. She opened her mouth, but was interrupted.

"No, I do not think it is wise to show the ring, although I would keep it on my person at all times. No, I do believe it was wise to tell you brother. Yes, you shall see him soon. And I'm glad to see you again," the spirit said, tilting his head with a smile at the end. Tale sighed but let a grin overcome her face.

"I really hate it when you do that but…" Tale bowed her head in a 'thank you' and Tora did the same. The white tiger disappeared in a small fade of light and soon Tale was left all by herself yet again. She sat there for so long it seemed time never went by for even a second, but soon the showing of the end of the day came. Zenai was probably at the barracks trying to put up with the duties as captain while she was reminiscing in her unnecessary pain.

The captain shook her head from the thoughts of stress, pain, and deception, before standing and grabbing her zanpukuto. It was then that she slid it into her sheath carefully and grabbed her haori that was hanging from a branch not far from her resting place. Once having it down, Tale pulled it over her shoulders and tied her hair back. Her figure disappeared within seconds.

Zenai sighed deeply as he plopped down into his chair and leant back, relaxing his tense muscles. A long day it had been without his captain. He was beginning to understand why captains were so tense and strict now; it was to get things done and get them done right. His dark haired head lolled to the side as he heard a door open to see a familiar smirking woman. He groaned turning his head the other way and squeezing his eyes closed tightly.

"Must you be so, 'I told you so', right now, taichou?" Tale only laughed silently before walking over to her clean desk and going through her drawers. After a few minutes of searching she pulled out a small glass bottle and shook it. A small ting ting followed and she tossed the bottle.

"That'll help the pain, headache, and bruising that will come tomorrow."

Zenai's eyes widened with fear. "B-bruising?"

Tale only laughed again and pointed to the many broken wooden swords that lay beside the office door. "I'm taking it you did practice fencing?" The lieutenant groaned again, just letting her be her know-it-all self.

Damn she's smart… he thought and took two of the small white pills from the bottle before throwing it back. He sat up suddenly, pain coursing through his right shoulder. Tale only laughed and placed the bottle back in her drawer.

"Just get lots of rest tonight, Zen-kun. You can sleep late tomorrow, I owe you." He nodded, just leaning back in his chair not moving. Soon slow breathing followed and Tale watched quietly. A thin blanket was produced, along with a pillow, as she set them on her lieutenant and left the room to get back to her own.

Tale untied the front bow of her hakama, and soon the fastening in the back came undone. The knots in her obi followed after and she unwrapped the binding. The hakama fell from her long slender legs letting the cool night air hit her bare legs. The kosode obi and shitagi obi were after, making the top fall open and to rest just below her knees. The only thing left that covered her tan body were the few layer of breast bindings, but she left those alone, not wanting to waste time in the morning with having to put them back on.

The silk red robe hung on a hanger just inside her washroom, and she tugged at it, pulling it over her shoulders like she would with her haori. (It was hanging on a knob on the wall beside her sliding door.) Tale let her hair fall, it nestling against her shoulder blades and reaching just to the small of her back. A thin comb went through the tresses before she left it alone, letting it do as it pleased (which usually meant it would just tangle up anyways).

The captain slid in between the few sheets that covered her futon and rolled onto her stomach to sleep in a much more comfortable position than on her back or side. Her dark violet hair covered the pillow as she shut her tired golden eyes and let her body rest. Something moved beside her… the covers were lifted… a warm limb wrapped around her… the familiar scent of sugar and green tea… the soft butterfly-feather like feeling across skin… the beautiful deep voice…

"Good night, Tale-chan."

She couldn't keep her mind awake after that.

PS: REVIEW PLEASE~~