Third installment. Bleach isn't mine but I try to fit in somehow. (sigh) I beta read it but I'm still finding some bugs. All subchapters are in the past, I'll have to create a way to inconspicuously differentiate the present and past.

Closer

"Not at all?" she exclaimed, socking him on the arm. "I thought you were the best!" the sarcasm was not malicious, just a playful tug at his attention.

"It was strange. I did exactly what Ukitake Taicho did." Sake swirled in his small cup, his attention drawn to the ripples of the liquid resulting from the motion.

During the last few weeks, the tea house had become a welcome break from reality. Talking with the waitress had a calming effect somehow, though he was not sure why.

Byakuya glanced down at the heavy lump of metal in his belt. It seemed to be mocking him at his hip, dull and lifeless as the moment he received it.

"It is a simple piece of steel." Byakuya reasoned, "I cannot comprehend why this task is any different from other subjects."

"It will take time. Just relax." Her smile reached his heart and made him want to reciprocate. He stared back into the sake.

"Besides, it was your first class. What were you hoping to accomplish?"

"I have never accepted anything less than perfect."

"There has to be subject that you haven't mastered. If you knew how to do everything already, life wouldn't be any fun!" Reaching for his cup, she lightly brushed his hand and pulled the container toward her. Topping off the liquid inside, she gently replaced it in his hands.

Her hands were warm and delicate; even after they were gone, he still felt them on his skin. A light tingling sensation washed over his body; maybe he had enough sake for tonight.

"Life isn't meant to be fun." he retaliated. Years of life as a noble were starting to rub off on him, it seemed.

"Of course it is, silly!" she nudged him lightly on the shoulder. Her lighthearted behavior certainly felt intoxicating; as he talked with his girl, he wished life could be a little more like she thought. "The world isn't meant to have millions of stuffy aristocrats. I think the planet would instantaneously explode if that were to happen!" her laugh sounded beautiful, as morning bells chiming an unnamed song. "You can't possibly believe that fun doesn't exist?"

The more she talked, the more ludicrous his previous statement sounded.

"It seems so." Was all he could muster as he turned his gaze away.

In retaliation, she leaned over the bar and peered into his eyes, those deep blue pools reflecting his own. All too late he realized he was transfixed by them, as though gripped by their intensity.

"Hisana."

The word was beautiful, though irrelevant in meaning. He could search those eyes all night if he could, to try and find an answer. Mentally shaking off the effect of her proximity, he regained what shred of composure he had left.

Staving off his curiosity he answered. "And that is?"

"My name, dark and mysterious. You've been visiting this tea house for two weeks straight, and you've never bothered to ask." Her smile sparkled in her eyes.

"I did not feel the need." It was the honest truth. Another small sip of sake, more for effect than the need to drink; the liquor existed merely as something to occupy himself with.

"Well, I wanted you to know, so I told you." The smile never vanished. Byakuya could hardly imagine her without it.

As a matter of fact, he never wanted to see that smile replaced by anything else.

Instead of admitting a thank you from his lips, he simply nodded. What could he say? Try to say something nice, the inner voice said.

"I will remember it." That was good enough. Hisana's smile stayed. He should reciprocate he felt, though he had no reason to. The desire to 'be nice' stuck as an unwanted partner at his side, much like this deadweight zanpakuto in his belt. After the mental dispute was over, it was obvious which side won.

"Byakuya." His noble side hardly thought a first name was appropriate for a Rukongai barmaid, but for whatever reason, it slipped past his defenses and escaped into the air. Too late too take it back now.

Hisana's eyes glistened with happiness. Whether it was a mistake on his part or not, the end product held an unexpected side effect that he couldn't ignore; her lightheartedness could have drawn hell butterflies – a stubborn lot those – with an attraction that could rival Zaraki in ferocity.

Byakuya's mouth upturned at the corners.

"Now that everyone has an understanding of issuing reiatsu to some degree – and without casualties" The instructor began "we will shift the focus of discussion to a more personal topic." Ukitake paused for effect, looking at the blank faces of his students. "Everyone possesses certain traits; those traits also exist in our zanpakuto and are unique and individual to each blade. Can anyone tell me where a zanpakuto's power comes from?"

His eyes scanned the room for potential victims.

"Spirit particles?"

"Yes, but all beings in Soul Society can do that. Any other answers?"

"The wielder?"

"Good. I would expect and answer like this from newly exposed students. You're correct, but I'm going to elaborate on that statement."

The instructor paused for a moment to catch his breath. Seemed like a good day today, his voice wasn't breaking up as much as usual. Ukitake's quiet intonation managed to carry through the classroom at an adequate level, and none of the pupils felt the need to complain. They quietly waited until the teacher was ready to resume.

"Power from a zanpakuto does indeed come from the wielder. They exist as two different entities, a shinigami and a sword, yet they are indivisible. Where a sword can be lost in battle, a zanpakuto cannot. This is possible because a zanpakuto is a part of the person. In fact the zanpakuto is an extension of the shinigami who uses it. That's why a zanpakuto cannot be lost; it would be like losing a piece of ones self."

The sentences were short and succinct to punctuate the main idea, and Ukitake hoped he got the point across. There were still a few puzzled expressions, but it seemed that everyday more students were starting to grasp at the concept. This class was moving right along.

"Our next lesson is going to encompass the duration of class. Since everyone's learning curve differentiates between one another, I don't expect anyone to get it right away. Our goal is to find out what bonds you to your zanpakuto. An inner link connects both of you, our purpose in this class is to draw out what that is. I will offer individual guidance to all of you, but the ultimate journey is yours alone."

A hand shot up from the group of students. "How are we going to figure that out?" His voice seemed a little more than exasperated.

"That's my job. I'm going to offer different scenarios that will increase the likelihood you will communicate with your zanpakuto. I've even arranged for some of the other captains to speak with you, for encouragement."

Ukitake's face darkened. "I will warn you that the first stage of release in a zanpakuto could be very dangerous. Whoever does so must exercise extreme control and concentration. To do otherwise may prove to be fatal, and by nature of the ability to more than just yourself."

A wave of uneasiness passed over the classroom. No one had to be reminded of this twice, it impression made an impact on all students.

"With that said, do not practice your zanpakuto techniques outside of our training environment." Ukitake stood and turned to the doorway. "Without further delay, I will announce our first captain speaker."

"Kuchiki Taicho, my father." Byakuya stated sullenly. "Out of the thirteen captains, he was the first chosen."

"That doesn't seem so bad." Hisana shrugged innocently.

"People who say that have never met him." Byakuya retorted, keeping the edge out of his voice.

Each time they met in that quaint tea house, the easier it was to talk to her. It never settled intentionally; oftentimes he would sit complacently at the table until she made some comment that would eventually issue a remark out of him.

Hisana seemed to have that effect on Byakuya, this only person that ever made him smile. He never felt like getting involved of having small talk conversations and he intended to keep from doing so; yet every time Hisana walked up to him with a comment on her lips and a smile on her face, he found he could not do anything to stop himself.

"Is he a bad person?" He couldn't tell if her naivety was an act, but more than likely it meant to draw him further into the topic.

"No." Byakuya honestly responded. There was not much he could say about his father. The present captain never physically abused him as a child, nor assaulted him with threats. Byakuya was such he never needed reprimanding.

As a matter of fact, he couldn't remember his father doing anything positive or negative to influence his behavior as a child. His mother filled that role.

After she died, he had no reinforcement at all. Having no initial conduct from his father severed the possibility of receiving any encouragement from him; it was never there to begin with. Byakuya never expected anything from his father.

"That's it?" she sat with a puzzled expression.

"He…is a difficult man." Was all Byakuya admitted. There was not much more to elaborate on.

"Sounds a lot like someone." Her eyes came up to his, and only then did he realize how close they had been to each other. He could practically feel her reiatsu as though it were a palpable object.

They both turned away; she got up and returned to the bar side. Had he been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he never noticed that she sat next to him? A lapse in perception he would surely fortify. However, he might permit her intrusion for introducing the flaw. She hardly seemed a threat; perhaps her proximity was allowable.

It was good that she wasn't adept at reading reiatsu, or else she would have noticed the slight blush that spread quickly across his cheek. Although she cleaned the table off with a dedicated concentration, she could not easily hide the fact that she too was red in the face.

Byakuya slouched - a typically uncharacteristic movement - over the table. A hand propped his chin up, and he gazed out to the blooming sakura. Normally cherry flowers lasted a fleeting moment, spreading their blossoms onto the ground in a flurry of pink and white. This tree in particular voided those rules and flourished, its branches laden with colored petals that could hardly be justified as simply 'beautiful'.

"It is amazing, isn't it?" she breathed. "This tree is the only sakura that blooms through most of the year. At the first snow it ceases, after the thaw it begins again." She sighed, resting her head in her hands. "I love looking out at that tree. It's the only reason I work in this tea house."

Byakuya glanced toward the girl. Somehow, the sakura bathed in spiritual energy, paled in comparison to the porcelain complexion of Hisana. Her delicate features glistened in the light of the window, the sakura lending its light pink shade to her cheek. A few petals blew across, the wind stirring her hair as one of the blooms landed in the dark silken strands. Such a sight as this must be a rarity, for never in his life had he seen something so beautiful.

Hisana looked to Byakuya and smiled. Suddenly her gaze looked to his side and she gasped.

"What?" Byakuya shot upright and clutched the katana handle, thinking she spotted an evil spirit he hadn't noticed.

"Your katana!" she pointed. "I seen it glow!"

Grasping the hilt in his hand, he let his eyes drop to the makeshift zanpakuto. There was nothing out of the ordinary – just the plain simple forged steel sat in its sheath. If he didn't know better, he would have thought her pulling a prank.

"I'm telling the truth." Her eyes rolled as if she read his mind. Was he really that shallow that he could be read by this Rukongai bartender?

"I believe you." he heard the words himself, and didn't comprehend them. He trusted her? Their acquaintance was barely a month old, yet he left himself open? It was a trivial affair, but nonetheless enough to scrutinize his judgment.

"I should go." Byakuya made motions to leave, rising from his seat.

"I see." Her eyes dulled a little. To anyone else it would have escaped notice; Byakuya seen the slight disappointment on her face. It was momentary, for she followed with a "See you tomorrow!" and an enthusiastic wave over her shoulder. Hisana returned to her cleaning.

Byakuya walked along the bank of Rukongai, the silver moonlight playing in the ripples of the water. Stopping at a fell tree, he sat and stared into the water.

What was this feeling?

As he continued to spend time with the Rukon girl, he felt as though his senses dulled. A dull shifting in his chest ached and writhed like a serpent.

Was his guard down?

There was nothing as frustrating as an unnamable emotion. Reflexively his hand found its way to the hilt of the katana. It was as cold and lifeless as the day Ukitake Taicho gave it to him. More acurately, two things eluded him of equal aggravation. Ukitake Taicho had stated his zanpakuto training would be difficult, but it was even more so than Byakuya imagined. Every time he focused on the blade his own reiatsu would rise while the plain blade would remain lifeless.

He cursed inward.

He did not visit the tea house the next day or the day after. Ukitake offered extra training for his zanpakuto, and Byakuya jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately the extra practice did not effect the spiritual block he faced with his weapon.

"Don't worry, Kuchiki-san. It will come. You've made great strides so far. Don't relent." Ukitake's kind words were reassuring, yet misdirected. Byakuya stayed level headed and cool before any elder. Not calling out his zanpakuto was starting to become a nuisance.

As he left the training hall, he noticed that darkness enveloped Soul Society. Was it that late?

There was a hesitation as he headed to his quarters. Going there was last on his mind. Without realizing it, he cast a look toward the outskirts of Rukongai. Resolve at hand, he started toward the tea house.

"Kuchiki-kun!" a voice called from behind. Irritatingly familiar, he could hear the smile around it. Without looking he knew who it was; he turned to look at his classmate.

Ichimaru Gin always smiled that same fox-like grin. "A pleasure to see you outside of class, being that our residences do not coincide." A small bow as his hands flourished to the sides, he appeared genuinely honored at his presence.

"Yes." Keeping his response short. He stood for a moment before issuing a polite farewell. "Be on time to class."

"You too, Kuchiki-kun."

Byakuya would have never thought it possible, but Gin's smile widened. "Make sure you're not out too late."

As he turned toward the gate heading outside Seireitei, he heard Ichimaru's voice call out just in ear shot. "Say hello to that girl for me, alright?"

Byakuya froze. A tingling sensation crawled up his spine as his eyes widened slightly in surprise. Surely he had hidden hid reiatsu well enough to prevent people from following him around; how did Ichimaru know were he would go? What he would do? Ukitake's warning ran clearly in his ears.

Keep an eye on those two – they have a habit of getting into trouble to say the least.

Now he could understand Ukitake Taicho's concern. Above all else he valued his privacy; he would have to see that Ichimaru be dissuaded from continuing that behavior.

That, and he disliked being called Kuchiki-kun. Yes, tomorrow he would confer with the captain.

Byakuya's stride broke again. Should he go to Rukongai with the information he now possessed? He hardly wanted to involve Hisana in shinigami squabble. Perhaps it was better to avoid the tea house for tonight just as a precaution, he thought. Not that Ichimaru Gin was a threat; Byakuya almost laughed at the notion. The idea of endangering Hisana's beautiful smile with the thought of that detestable classmate made his stomach settle uneasily.

He would go tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed it. I may just place this story in the Teen department, but I don't want some raunchy scene getting caught up in the rating. :\ hmm... Review please?