Many Years Later

Byakuya sighed as he stepped from the Senkaimon and into the world of the living. He didn't want to do the mission, but it was more to get away from Soul Society for a while. As he walked through the streets of Tokyo, Japan, he barely paid any attention to where he was going except that he knew it would lead him to the mansion that he paid for when there were missions for him. Glancing up, he thought he heard the particular melody that Shiori used to play for him and his hopes soared… until he found it was a television that was showing a man dressed in black with a wolf mask and a single horn protruding from the head playing the melody on a curved flute/dagger. He turned and swiftly walked away, just missing a girl with long black hair and two red earrings.

Shiori loved it when the wolf, named Zen-aku, played her song. She wasn't sure when, but she heard the actor had listened to her and as a tribute for the beautiful melody, played it on the show. Since she was so engrossed with the program, she missed Byakuya and it was only when the melody stopped that she continued to where she was going.

Byakuya stepped into his mansion and several servants bowed as they greeted him. As he entered his room, he stripped before looking at the calendar. With a smile, he stepped into the shower. Tonight would be the annual cherry blossom viewing and although he wanted to share that with Shiori, he knew she would be with him somehow.

Shiori knocked on the door to a large mansion and a butler opened it. "Hello, I'm here to reply to the ad about a new maid." She said hopefully.

The Butler smiled. "Ah yes, please, come in." He said and led her to the dinning room and offered her a seat facing away from the door before sitting down himself. He was just about to speak when Byakuya happened to pass by but since he didn't look into the room and she didn't turn around, another chance had come and gone.

"I will be back late, please reserve my usual seat for the cherry blossom viewing."

"Yes sir, it has already been done." The butler replied in kind as Byakuya left the mansion.

It was about a half hour before Shiori was allowed to go and she was sure she had bombed the interview. "Stupid Shiori, thinking that such a great nobleman would need your services." She growled to herself as she wandered around town since she had time to kill before going back to her apartment.

Byakuya took in the sights and because he was walking around in a Yukata, he drew some strange looks but he ignored them. However, there was a flash of red that caught his eye and he saw the long black hair and despite him knowing that even if it was Shiori, there was no if she would remember her time as a Shinigami but he still had to know. He saw the female form reach the other side of the street and was about to follow when several large trucks went past and blocked his view. By the time he could see the sidewalk, the girl was gone.

In the evening, Byakuya went to his usual spot for the cherry blossom viewing but this time it just didn't hold the same significance to him as it usually did. With a soft sigh, he stood up and looked to the sky. "Senbonzakura, I'm going to walk around for a bit." He told his spirit and the spirit merely nodded. That was the nice thing about the spot he picked, it was quiet and secluded as Senbonzakura often enjoyed watching the event as much as Byakuya did.

Shiori wore a pink Yukata with the cherry blossoms on it while she ate cotton candy absentmindedly while wandering around the sakura trees. She was enjoying herself since this time wasn't one to reflect on the failures of the day, but rather to enjoy the beauty that happened only once a year. When she was finished with the cotton candy, she sat down at the base of one tree and took out her flute. To be honest, she wasn't sure how she knew the melody but for a night of a full moon, it simply felt right. She began to play softly at first to avoid disturbing anyone else, but soon she allowed herself to be a little more open with the sound.

Byakuya was on his way back to his spot when he happened to hear that same flute music and this time he would Shunpo after the person just to make sure they didn't get away. As he approached the base of a sakura tree, he saw the same black hair and the red earrings were barely visible. Suddenly, the girl stopped playing, looked up, and gasped as her flute fell to the ground. Without a doubt, they recognized each other but neither made the first move as they were still caught up in old memories just as the first set of fireworks lit up the night sky.

To be honest, I forgot to add this. Please review this story and let me know what you liked or didn't like.