Alright, now before you all start ranting, let me tell you this is fan fiction. Anything can happen here. Plus, I simply like the whole idea. The title makes the content obvious. Don't like it? Don't read it. I didn't force anybody. Just don't post comments saying nothing constructive or helpful. Anyways, to those who came here to enjoy the story, here you go!

Byakuya's POV

A soft breeze blew by me, making me aware of the close approaching storm. I was still in my office, watching my sister smack my lieutenant's head. He turned to her and growled. She simply crossed her arms over her chest decisively. The red-haired idiot's annoyed expression turned into a full scowl. Which instantly made the image of the other idiot, the orange-haired one, flash in my mind. But even so I could detect and ever so small smile on his lips as his eyes softened when she started walking away. He rubbed the back of his head, where she had to jump to hit him and started following her. I noticed how many eyes her petite form drew to her as she walked past the crowds, her face emotionless and her head held high, an ideal epitome of Kuchiki perfection. But not all of them were eyes I would allow to fall on her. Renji glared at a certain group of youths who couldn't keep their eyes away from her. His reaitsu flared. The youths withdrew to some shadowy corner and I knew they were cowering in fear now. He fixed his eyes back on her progressive form possessively. They were soon out of my sight. I silently wondered if I could ever do the same.

She was so similar to Hisana, yet completely different. Her eyes were brighter. Her gait was more assured. Her smiles were more vibrant. She was harder to break. When I thought about what she had been through I marveled at how she could still keep a smile. She had lived a life of utter misery, paying for sins she never committed. And exactly when it had started to get better I came along to devastate her existence. I had seen the look on her face. It was like she had left a part of her behind. That part was Renji. I knew he sent her with me for her good. He wanted her to have the best. But he had hurt her in the process.

And then, instead of protecting her like I was supposed to, I pit her in a life of stuck up nobles, who unlike normally deceptive ones, wouldn't even try to fake a smile. She was trained and molded into a completely different shell than the one she came from. She used to be a care free spirit. She had seen her way through a lot but she always maintained her perky spirit. I was always so cold to her. Never even showed acknowledgement. I remember the small talk she used to try to make when she first came, trying to know her new brother. All she got in response was icy silence. The look on her face when I got up from the table each day without saying a single word still stuck in my mind.

And then, in a desperate attempt to push her further away, I told her that day that I had only brought her in because it was the last wish of my dead wife. Her sister. I expected her to storm out, never look back, cry, scream, do anything that would prove her displeasure. Instead, she stayed by me. And that was when I realized that after being pushed and pulled through the worst of life's hardships, she didn't expect anything better. She accepted the fact that I was providing for her only because of her sister as easily as anything.

Was that the reason? No.

When I found out where she was, I thought it was going to be easy. I would adopt her and give her all that she wanted. She would have a luxurious life. I would make up for all she had missed in Rukongai. What I didn't expect was to find a mini replica of my Hisana. For a moment I actually thought I had got my wife back.

I was scared. Scared of the outcome of the effect she had on me. It was like I was going down a pit with no light, stumbling around, knowing it was dangerous but not admitting the same. I knew the feeling and I thought shutting her out would help. But I should have known better. Every human being craves for that which he can not have. And Rukia was one such craving.

When Ichigo saved her while I couldn't, I finally embraced the fact that I was only making things worse. I couldn't get her out of my mind. I wanted her more with every beat of my heart. Her perseverance was unimaginable. Yet her face always glowed. Rukia could be a well-mannered, beautiful girl like Hisana, but Rukia was something Hisana could never be.

Yes. I loved my dead wife's sister more than I ever loved her. And I seemed to fall harder every minute.

I was going to make up for all the hurt now.

But then...it seemed impossible. There were three big problems between us. Elders, Renji and Ichigo. And that was saying when you considered her as all over me like I was for her. Which, after seeing how I behaved to her, was highly improbable. She might as well hate me.

To me, even that seemed impossible.

*TIME SKIP*

A knock on the dining room door and a young maid came in. I was surprised to see Yuki here. She was Rukia's personal assistant. I remembered how Rukia seemed to think she didn't need one. Obviously, she did now. The black haired girl bowed in front of me. When I cued her to start speaking, the words that came out of her mouth were the exact ones I never wished to hear. "Excuse my interruption Kuchiki-sama, but Rukia-san is nowhere to be found."

I could barely keep my emotionless mask up. Where had she gone now?

*TIME SKIP*

I flash stepped from roof to roof as I felt the cold raindrops soak my captain's haori. The sky was literally tearing up today. Thunder roared overhead as I went down the most isolated lanes. I was incredibly close to crying now. Where was she? Did she leave me too? The last time she disappeared didn't go well. I was hyperventilating as lightning flashed once again. The thunderous cry of rain and the gurgle of clouds bounced off the walls and came right back to drum on my ears. I looked around frantically. It had been two hours and a half now. There was no sign of her anywhere. I had checked with all her friends but she wasn't there. I had even gone to her squad. When I reached Renji I found Ichigo there with him too, both slightly tipsy. It was slightly relieving to see them spring up alert the moment they heard of her disappearance. It felt nice to know someone would keep her safe when I wasn't around for her. They were both searching for her right now as well.

Who was I fooling? It was always those two. I never was around for her.

A chill ran down my spine. What should I do? I couldn't think. The only sensible thought that my mind registered was that I had lost her as well.

I turned in another abandoned looking alley. When someone went looking for them, it was amazing how many popped out. I threw all my spiritual pressure out trying to detect even the smallest flicker. Nothing. I jumped up on another roof and shunpo-ed away. I don't remember how many more alleys I checked. I don't remember when my eyes began to tear up. I don't remember when the storm got wilder. All I knew was she wasn't with me. And she was nowhere safe. At some point I crossed a frantic looking Renji, who stopped for only long enough to ask if I had found her when it was obvious I hadn't. But I knew why. It was that silent reassurance. That he wasn't alone. That there were others who were willing to risk the same for her as him. And most importantly the hope that we might find her.

'It is okay, master. We will find her. Please do not worry.' Senbonzakura's voice was concerned and pacifying. Honestly, it was only his presence at the back of my mind that kept me warm as the cold rain drops cascaded around me. I had no idea what I was going to do if something happened to her. I sincerely regretted every moment that I had wasted in ignoring her when I could have held her close and told her how she was more important to me than air itself.

A flicker. A thunderclap. A scared scream. A pair of widening grey eyes. A shunpo laced step. A shack. A beaten down door. A loud thud and the small creak of hinges protesting.

And there I saw her, huddled in a corner, her raven hair slick with rainwater and glowing purple orbs wide with fear. I stepped in.

"Rukia."

Rukia's POV

My head snapped up at my name. And I saw Byakuya Nii-sama standing in the doorway. I felt my lower lip shiver and this time it was not because of the cold. He was drenched and his beautiful mane of raven hair, just the slightest bit out of place. His breath escaped in low hitches and his usually emotionless eyes were wide with concern and relief. But I was willing to believe the part about the eyes was my imagination for his face was still as stoic as always.

Another huge thunder clap rang and I yelped. I couldn't help it and crawled under the high wooden table. I pulled my knees up to my chest as the cold made me shiver uncontrollably. I was returning home after I had a fight with Renji. It was his stupid boy pride. I had turned into an abandoned alley as I was suddenly seized by an inexplicable urge to cry. I knew why though. I was just a burden to him. He made it clear when he pushed me towards the 'rich noble with a captain's coat'. He was the only one I had left. The only one I actually trusted. But I was nothing to him. He got rid of me the first chance he got. And then just like that, he marches right back into my life with his hand in his hair as if nothing ever happened. And strangely, I still wanted to be with him. I wanted him to stay and make me feel loved again. Like he had. Its the helpless urge of the soul. It keeps on wanting to go back to what was there, physically, and pleased you. He was my only hope of love. Till Ichigo came along.

I lost track of time. I didn't even recognize when the rain drops started coming along. They simply blended with my tears. What shook me from my dampened reverie was a loud thunderclap. I never was afraid of storms during my days in Rukongai. But I was now. Back then when I was just a fragile hag on the streets, thunder never scared me. Now that I was a trained Soul Reaper, it did. Because it reminded me of the streets and my numerous friends who had died on such nights. I was in this tumble down shack before I knew. And I screamed every time I heard the thunder outside as memories haunted me.

And now I had gone and screamed like a wimp in front of my brother. Oh, how I just wanted to go get buried.

"Rukia." The voice had softened. It was almost concerned. His steps were soundless but I could detect some shuffling around. I was surprised to see his stormy grey eyes peaking at me from under the table as he crouched on the other side. His face as usual betrayed no expression. He extended a hand towards me. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I must have looked like a big coward. I wanted to scream and swat his hand away and retreat further into the shadows. But I couldn't have possibly done that. I gazed from his hand to his face and back and forth. He remained motionless. Calm. I finally reached out and put my hand in his. He pulled me out from under the table, swiftly.

As I was back in plain sight, the thunder roared again. I shrieked and latched on to the thing closest at hand, which happened to be his haori. I buried my face in his chest as I felt hot tears stream down my face. I cried violently and this time I really didn't know why. He hesitated then his arms rounded waist as his left hand started drawing patterns on the small of my back while his right palm stroked my hair. My eyes widened at his actions. Was this really him?!

Wait. Crying violently in his chest and screaming every time thunder roared, was this really me?!

No.

My sobs grew louder as they started to make my whole body shiver violently. I didn't have any idea what was going on. Why I suddenly felt like crying my heart out. And acting like a total wimp. 'Now you know you are not alone.' Sode no Shirayuki's voice sounded in my head. My eyes widened in realization. It was the first time. The first time in so long that he had ever shown me any consideration. That he was right here. I couldn't help burying myself further into his clothes as the realization triggered more tears. I felt his hand move from behind my back and grab my chin. He slowly tilted my face up. I was immediately ashamed of my tear stained cheeks. But before I could form another thought...

Byakuya's POV

I leaned down and clasped her lips with mine. I felt her gasp against my mouth. But I pressed further. She tasted like frozen strawberries. It was amazing how one's lips could be chapped and soft at the same time. I continued to kiss her relentlessly. Half of my mind was reeling against it. But the other half was louder, especially with Senbonzakura cheering me on. I couldn't help but think our lips melded along perfectly. It was like they were fitted to each other. I felt her whole body stiffen and immediately pulled back. Only once her intoxicating lips were away from mine did I realize what I had done.

She looked up at me with her innocent eyes wide as saucers. The tears had dried up now, leaving her cheeks a light tint of pink with her lips parted slightly. I had ever before seen her behaving emotionlessly in front of me or looking angry and pissed off around her friends. This was definitely cuter. I scanned her face for any signs of displeasure. There was just plain confusion in her beautiful eyes. For a moment, I wondered if we had somehow managed to strip the right to express her displeasure along with her freedom as well. But when I looked deep, I realized it really was only confusion.

She tilted her head to the side as her eyebrows knit together. "Nii-sama?"

I just couldn't resist and leaned in for another kiss. She didn't stiffen this time but actually shifted to adjust herself properly. I smirked. I don't know what got over me. Usually I would resist from displaying such demeaning expressions but as she tried to kiss me back. Slowly. Hesitantly, I couldn't help it.

She didn't know the first thing about kissing someone. It was obvious I was her first, and her deliberate attempts to please me, only amused me further. She closed her eyes and stopped struggling with her patterns after a while. She just leaned in and let herself be carried. We broke apart for oxygen and confusion was still etched in her eyes as her lips were still parted and her breath caught in small whooshs. She looked at me with an innocence filled face as her eyes gazed into mine. They were not hesitant like they usually were when she looked at me. Rather they asked a question. Till her eyes fell on the doorway, and widened. I turned around in a flash, wondering how I had missed him.

"Ichigo!" , she called after the orange head who was now running away, leaving me crouching and gazing behind her.

What the hell was I thinking?

Why the hell had she kissed me back?

I so love those time skips. How did you like it people? Comment your thoughts. I have at least this one story all planned out ahead. And as for the ending I will think of something. Surely? :P ehheh. Anyways, the next chapter will most probably be updated tomorrow. My first story is already pretty ahead so I guess I will concentrate on finishing it. But that doesn't mean I will abandon this one. So to all my lovely friends who read this, I LOVE YOU! Stay unique, stay you, stay awesome. And always remember that every falcon has to go through terrible hardships before it emerges as one of the most deadly birds in the sky realm.