Hope I didn't keep you guys waiting too long. Here's seven:)

Conflict of Nature

Byakuya had it; the decision that he so desperately called for finally materialized in the forethought of his mind. Wavering between the door to the outside world and the affections of Hisana were unbearable, the roads both equally tempting and maddening at once; Honor, pride, dignity – all hinging on one moment frozen in time.

Seconds ticked by while neurons raced across, emotions firing in succinct timing with the impulses. His body moved according to the physical responses, closing the distance between Byakuya and his destination.

Once his hand reached the door handle, a realization was struck.

He would live in the shadow of a lie.

Kuchiki Byakuya, future heir to the Kuchiki clan, had fallen in love. Not just love, but a consuming passion that thrived deep in his essence, festering in the flames of his soul. It devoured him, and all his logic and nobility could not shake the effect one girl had on him. Plaguing his senses, begging to be released from his icy stoic stature, this snakelike entity writhed in his heart and waited to be set free.

Could he pretend to be uncaring, cold – to not love her?

Something warm on his cheek. It cooled in a trail down his skin. A trickle of water?

The handle of the door in his hand blurred in his eyesight. Certainly tears were not a common accessory for a future elder.

Why: It kept pounding in his head, assaulting every moral fiber in his body. A lie in his heart, a sad realization that he would never be one to love; he would live his life in solitude. Surely no other person meant as much to him as her; she was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Nobility lived forever; there was a slight possibility that he could love again, perhaps with another noble deemed fit by his clan.

Maybe. A possibility.

Things followed a proper procedure - a Rukon girl did not fit those perimeters.

Suddenly his reiatsu shook to the core.

Do you need her?

Byakuya's hand curled reflexively to his side.

Senbonzakura.

This is merely a test of your own will and faith in yourself. A voice called out from his mental processes, apart from the conflicting battle between wrong and right.

Choose the path wisely and walk it with your head held high.

Byakuya abruptly turned and faced Hisana, peering directly into her worried expression. Mouth opening then abruptly closing, he instead made his motions do the work his voice could not.

Hisana's eyes closed as his lips roamed over her own, those blue orbs surrendering in his strong embrace.

Admissions aside, Byakuya quickly exited the room.

Byakuya did not sleep that night: It was not surprising when he seen the first rays of light pass through the curtains of his room. Instead his mind fixated on these newfound emotions that struggled to the surface.

To become an elder of Kuchiki clan, one must not falter in the teachings of the previous generation. All rules and regulations must be enforced and regulated to keep Soul Society an organized community.

Byakuya droned through the various lessons in his mind again, solidly locking each meaning into place.

A hesitation: Wondering what Hisana was doing.

Honestly. What did he expect from these irrational emotions? Would he live happily ever after with this girl, ignoring the fact she was a common dweller of Rukongai? Surely his father would never accept such behavior from him.

But he never had to. Come to think of it, Byakuya always did like he was asked. Never was there a situation that disregarded his father's advice, going against the grain of Kuchiki clan. Everything in his life was done for the greater good.

What about his own needs and interests? Would he spend the remainder of life in Soul Society always looking out for everyone but himself? What about his own desires?

Great; now jealousy and selfishness were playing a role in his mind.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Enter." Byakuya choked a bit. His voice was dry from under use and lack of water.

Unohana opened the door, a small tray of food in her hand.

"I thought it best that you eat." She offered the plate to him and set it on a table at his bed side.

Byakuya turned away from the nourishment. Somehow viewing food was reducing his appetite.

"How are your wounds? Is there any aching?" She checked over his bandages gingerly.

How little she knew; the ache was too deep, he admitted to himself. Slowly Byakuya shook his head. No pain from physical wounds.

"Good." Unohana smiled, yet it faded as she noted his stoic behavior.

"You will be able to leave our recovery facility today." She piped up, seeing if that was the source of his melancholy.

Byakuya turned to look at her. His somber expression indicated he had not slept, and what little reiatsu she could detect was beyond depression.

"Arigato, Taicho." Byakuya firmly stated, the tone indicating her departure a welcome reaction.

As the medical captain turned to leave, she remarked. "You have a visitor. I planned on having you eat before you entertained company, but I guess that isn't going to happen. After all I can't very well make you." Her reiatsu slipped through the hall and back to the main desk. Another knock sounded, but this time there was no hesitation.

Byakuya blanched as his estranged father entered the small chamber. He was entirely unprepared to gaze on the statuesque features of the current head of Kuchiki clan. Subconsciously he thought of his own appearance and how untidy he must look in fourth division medical clothes.

Blackened eyes roamed over his son. No emotion or reiatsu emanated from the man of stone. Did nothing ever move that placid visage from his face?

"Kuchiki Byakuya."

Some would think it odd that a father would call his son so formally, but to those of the clan, no other method of communication was needed. Or existed for that matter.

"I understand that there was an incident."

"Hai. Taicho." Calling his father that was normality to him.

"You have healed from your wounds."

"Hai, Taicho." It was not posed as a question, though a response seemed proper.

"You are to return to the Kuchiki house for further evaluation."

Extra tending hardly seemed necessary, as he could feel the strength returning to his body. Recent turn of events had diminished his appetite, but his spirit power improved by the hour.

The current head of household strode up to Byakuya's bedside to inspect the remaining damage. Wordlessly he critiqued the bandages and medical applications, lastly stopping at the empty place where the kenseikan had sat.

Producing a small satchel from the inside of his kimono, the intimidating man placed the bundle at the corner of his bed.

"Be presentable upon your arrival." The only statement uttered before the captain turned and exited the room.

It was the most he could have expected from his distant father. Coming here while paperwork needed to be done was a miraculous feat; rarely did the captain leave his office at all. The Kuchiki clan was in charge of book keeping and historical events; where those existed, work would always need to be done.

Hisana. As soon as his mind fell idle, the thought of her enveloped him; the inescapable image conjured in his mind. Her laugh, her smile…

Surely the road to Kuchiki clan elder was a tough ordeal, indeed.

The rice dumplings that Unohana Taicho brought in stared at him in the face. Then a thought occurred to him: It would be a shame to let this food go to waste.

A knock sounded on the door. At first there was no sound; the occupant may still be asleep.

A small "Come in." sounded as the visitor started to walk away.

So he would have to go through with this, after all. He swallowed hard as he entered the room.

As the shinigami stepped in, she gasped at his formal attire. Hair masterfully wrapped in the heirloom clip, kimono pressed and hakama pleated, Byakuya was a stunning visual. Noble lineage breathed in his spiritual essence; the sight of him was enough to stop time. This was much different than the common academy kimono, differing not only in the material, but the subtle intricacies that fashioned the cloth. Even the small parcel that loftily dangled from his hand seemed to edge away from his presence.

"Byakuya-san." Hisana breathed, captivated by his appearance.

Byakuya lidded the surge of heat to his face brought on by her enamored expression. Best efforts were made to keep his business face on, despite the smiling eyes that greeted him.

Her appearance was much improved from the day before: Many of the heavy bandages were replaced by smaller ones, though bruising and cuts were still apparent on her body. The way she smiled though, he could hardly tell that she was injured at all.

"I brought you…a gift." He stammered. What else would you call a package of food?

Hisana's eyes widened at the cloth wrapped box in his hand, it dangled from the knot entwined in his slender fingers. Carefully the package was set at the bedside table.

"Arigato, Byakuya-san!" She smiled as her hands went to the tie, gingerly pulling the cloth back to reveal the most elaborate bento display she had ever seen. Rice dumplings were packed carefully with pickled plums and a few other pieces of fruit. The food itself was rather plain, but the design that the objects contained had an intricate pattern resembling flower blossoms. It was almost too beautiful to eat.

"Unohana Taicho approved my discharge from fourth squad, so I decided to…stop by." Idle talk was not a strong suit; however skilled he may be at swaying logical men with intellectual banter, he had severe difficulty entertaining casual conversation.

She reached for a pair of chopsticks and stopped abruptly. "Eat with me!" She said in earnest, offering the pair up to him. Somewhere in his heart her smile melted the iceberg of emotions despite his sincere desire to remain uncaring and jaded. A warm sensation engulfed him, and he couldn't deny the small request.

"Hai." He sat down at the edge of the bed, perfectly straight and proper, acknowledging all of the etiquettes of nobility.

A bit too far away for Hisana's taste, she gingerly ran her hands around his waist and pulled him – albeit gently - toward her. The robes made sliding easy for her to maneuver him: At least that's what he told himself.

The bento was placed between them on the bed, the cloth wrapping spread about underneath it, creating a neat tablecloth for the bundle. The chopsticks were handed to him since he never took them in the first place. Taking up her own, she reached into the package for a plum.

Byakuya hesitated; not that he moved initially. The thought of food was still an unappealing one. The mere sight of the bento made his stomach flip.

"What's wrong?" Hisana asked, catching onto the awkward glance that fleeted his face.

"Nothing."

"That's not true, and you know it."

Byakuya swallowed. He remained in place.

"What, did you poison it?" she asked, smiling as she lifted the plate up to her nose and inhaled deeply.

"No." At first he was taken aback. The notion itself was ludicrous; it was impossible that could do something so immoral. Yet she knew it, and was playing on that stable foundation. A careful teeter on sarcasm and humor that only she could do, and he treasured that capability. Slowly the knot in his stomach dissolved.

A rice dumpling made its way to his lips as the tasted the morsel. He felt Hisana watching his every movement, the small piece politely and masterfully eaten without incident.

"I've never seen someone so…neat…with food." She stated, obviously intrigued by the skill. "Please teach me!" she added slightly bowing in her seated position.

He thought her joking again, yet turned to see an almost odd serious expression on her face.

"What?"

"You make eating look so proper! I would love for you to show me how." Her eyes glistened.

What harm could come of it?

"You must feel the texture of the food you intend to eat. With your tongue." He quickly added as she reached toward a morsel with her fingers.

"Attempt a bite that is proportionally smaller than what you would normally take in and use your tongue to extract the rest."

Following the given instructions, Hisana's first try was a bit messy, but the second was much better. An interesting expression crossed her makeshift teacher's face.

"What?" she asked, mouthful of food on her lips.

"You have rice on your face."

She hastily looked around for a napkin; when she looked back up at her teacher he reached across with his own.

"Let me." A smile reached his lips as he carefully brushed the crumbs away, tracing her cheek with the cloth.

"Arigato." Her cheeks flushed as she looked away from Byakuya.

Impulsively the hand drew back to his side. Say something, he commanded his lips.

"It is alright. It takes proper training to master the technique." He calmly reached for a plum. "It is something I cannot teach in moments." Savoring the sweet tangy texture of the pickled fruit, Hisana looked up at him again. She chuckled, which then grew into laughter that he could never in all of his talented vocabulary describe. Happiness and contentment shown in those eyes, the deep azure pools reflected her innermost feelings.

Then he realized what it was that captured her attention.

"You have a bit of rice on your chin."

Somehow the renegade grain snuck through his defenses by clinging to the fruit. The traitorous bandit stole its way onto his face, asserting his prior statement in defiance.

"Perhaps I still need work." He absentmindedly reached for the napkin, which he then realized was in Hisana's possession. She loftily held it in her hand until he noticed it.

Byakuya was about to ask for it when she reached forward and dabbed the cloth against his jaw.

He didn't flinch. It should have been painful, however her touch was soft and delicate: It would have been easier for him to pull away if it hurt. The barbs reached into his heart anew, the poison of her caring gestures threatening to cave his sanity. If only she knew what this touch did to him. He closed his eyes and tried not to lean into the pressure.

The cloth was gone then, replaced by a warm sensation on his cheek from her resting palm.

"I had to return the favor, I couldn't be indebted to you forever because you seen me eat like a pig!" Her smile was genuine, her sincerity locked into his own eyes.

As her hand pulled away, she realized suddenly that it never came down. Byakuya's own had grasped it gently in slender fingers, still clinging near to his face.

No matter how hard he tried, it came to this. Was this really his decision? All of his intentions originally pointed to staying away from this girl to continue his road toward elder of Kuchiki clan. The farther he tried to remove himself, the closer he wanted to be. This feeling remained curled in his stomach; every time he struck out at it, the emotion returned two fold.

How could he think with this girl around? This commoner from Rukongai? Why did he not feel this for someone of his own station? Was he doomed to live out his torture to its completion, wondering what could have been?

The battle his soul had started had entered a new stage; now he could feel that part struggling to the surface to announce itself.

His hand wavered dangerously close to his cheek, encircling that of hers. Slowly, the destructive thoughts allowed but one intention slip past his defenses. Delicate fingers brushed past his lips, her palm resting lightly in his grasp. Hisana smelled of cherry blossoms and springtime. He couldn't allow him to think of more, or the demon of logic would rob him of the experience.

Lips pressed into her palm, a deliciously sinister taste filled his mouth, the taste he denied himself to save his sanity. Another kiss just below her thumb; just as sweet as the first. He needed more.

Slowly, ignoring the chance to think, his lips slid to her wrist. The pulse quickened its already fast pace, he could feel a heartbeat against his lips. Hisana's heartbeat.

A pang struck him; he needed to leave. A glance to the clock indicated that his presence required by Kuchiki Taicho was imminent. Timely arrival was a rule in the Kuchiki house no one dared violate. By the hands of the clock, he had twenty minutes to get there. Panic and anxiety were a nuisance and he hardly felt the bite, instead he inwardly cursed heir presence.

Hisana didn't speak. Whatever spell he put himself under, she must have been effected as well. Grudgingly he let her hand fall away, unsure if he would ever allow himself to get that close again.

However as he rose to leave, Hisana's body covered his own. The position was highly erotic and uncouth for nobility, he told himself. Her legs straddled his lap as she initiated her own kiss, running hands through delicate strands of hair. She tasted of plum and a sweet flavor all her own - it was indescribable.

Demeaning, undignified, shameful…all words that he tried vainly to use against the untouchable woman. His arms pulled her closer, settling her into his lap further. No matter what he said, these simple words had no bearing on the feeling running through his mind. The taste, the smell of her…it as unbearable that all these emotions were made available to him at once. He felt unworthy and base in their ravishing.

A heat rushed over him, and he knew what was happening. His hands deftly rolled under her dress-like medical clothes to roam freely her chest, back – all of the smooth skin he could touch. As his palms came to rest against her back, he realized that the dress was the only part of her outfit. He tried in vain to erase the mental images it conjured, being that she was so tightly settled into his lap.

Ten minutes. He had to leave. He had to stop coming to her. He could not be with Hisana.

Her mouth roamed over his, filling his with her tongue and biting the corner of his lip. There was no shame when she pushed him back onto the bed sheets. Somehow his kimono had become loosened, and his chest poked past the material, the defining muscles making for an interesting topic as her hands pressed against the skin. Lips roamed there too, and Byakuya tried to resist the feelings overwhelming him.

Until Hisana whispered in his ear.

Take me.

His eyes widened. It was all she said. Anything could have been implemented in those words, but he knew what she meant. Suddenly the beast that found its way into his heart took over, rolling her over onto her back and lavishing her with all the abandon and lust he never knew.

He froze. He could not be late to his father. Especially like this.

Byakuya didn't want to stop, but he knew nothing good could come of it.

He let his heart rate slow as he kissed Hisana one last time.

"I…cannot." he grudgingly stated.

"I understand." she said as his form hovered over her own. Her eyes looked so sad; it broke his heart to implicate the meaning.

"No. You do not." His serious gaze cut through her disheartened look. "My father has summoned me to the Kuchiki house for examination." He gently cupped her cheek in his hand. "I must arrive shortly. I stopped because of that."

The inference was clear, her expression lost some of the sadness. At least that was easier to stand than the gut wrenching reiatsu that enveloped him earlier.

"I…" he started. How should he finish the statement? I'll continue where I left off? I'll be back? Many ran through his head in an instant as he tried for a fitting departure.

"I will return." He spoke sincerely, gazing into dark pooling orbs. If he held that pose, his resolve would surely have been broken.

"Well, then…you better not be late." She smiled, offering a final kiss on his cheek. Swiftly arranging his kimono into its original pristine condition with some help from Byakuya, he turned and bid one final farewell before disappearing into the hallway.

He couldn't think straight. Thoughts swirled around in his mind as he walked towards Sixth division. Rather than using shunpo to get there, he gave himself the opportunity to pull his mind together before the next run in with his father. 'Further evaluation' Kuchiki Taicho had called it; it seemed such a trivial operation he probably wouldn't even be there. Hopefully Byakuya was lucky enough for that to be true; it wasn't that he disliked his father, but the captain had an uncanny ability to tell when Byakuya was perplexed, uncertain – any weakness, really.

It was not a pleasurable experience to say the least.

AN: I'm trying hard for angst, suspense, mystery, comedy... a well rounded story. How am I doing?

If you like it, please review!