Hi everyone! Hope you've had a good week so far.

I'm going to rush through this Author's note so you can get to the good stuff. First, our winners for last weeks contest. The first winner, Gloaming Grove, requested a RenjiXHisagi drabble which is posted under the title "Doubts". It can be found at my profile page if you wish to read it. It's my first attempt at yaoi, so I hope I did them justice.

The second winner, Achalys, didn't get back to me. Anyways, if you still want the drabble, let me know which character/pairing you would like me to write about :D

Ok, onto the chapter. Just a quick disclaimer and Byakuya's at the door!!!

Please enjoy it, we've waited long enough!

Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. I own nothing.

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I stood before the door, pondering my next move.

"Ise-Fukutaicho, hold on."

"Yes, Kuchiki-Taicho?"

"What am I supposed to say?"

"I'm sure you will find the right words, Taicho."

Right then I realized it was best I manned up and faced her before my courage abandoned me.

I knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" She called from the other side.

"I must talk to you, Matsumoto Rangiku." I replied, trying my best to keep my voice steady.

"What the…" She murmured from the other side. It seemed as if she was surprised by my visit, though I hoped it would not upset her, since I felt it necessary that we talk.

"Who is it?" She asked again.

Her question allowed me to conclude that she did indeed know it was me who was calling.

"I know you don't wish to see me, but we must talk."

The door slid open, revealing the woman who stood on the other side.

"What are you doing here, Kuchiki-taicho?" She asked, sharply.

If there's one thing that has always bothered me it is repeating myself. However, this was not the time to care for this.

"We need to talk, Matsumoto Rangiku." I reiterated, as calmly as I could so I wouldn't startle her further, having noticed the surprise in her eyes after addressing her.

"What do you need to speak of?" She said, blocking the door with her right arm, allowing me to notice the bandages that covered her wounds.

She winced. The arrancar's attack had injured most of her right arm. However, I was surprised to see the injury was not as extensive as I expected. Considering she had been attacked by an arrancar, her wounds could be graver, so I was glad to see she was alright.

I tried appealing to her common sense. "It's private. I'd hate to do this in the hallway. Please, may I come in?" I asked, hoping the question was proper enough to compel her to invite me into her home.

"Sure, Taicho. You may come in," She removed her arm from the door, beckoning me to enter, though it seemed as if my visit was not a thrill.

"I would offer you some tea, but I ran out. I don't believe you'll take sake, would you, Kuchiki-taicho?" she said, turning her back on me as soon as I entered.

"Byakuya, Fukutaicho. You don't have to address me by my title," I contested, "and sake would be fine."

"Excuse me?" She asked, turning her head to look at me, utterly surprised. "You drink sake?"

"Why is that strange?"

"Well… No reason, I guess," she answered, not entirely convinced by the answer, "you really want sake?"

"It's been a long day."

"I suppose that is code for 'I better have some alcohol in my system before I apologize', am I right?"

"Not at all. I don't need to be invested with that kind of courage before apologizing," I replied, brushing aside her sarcastic comment, "and even when I must admit sake is not my favorite beverage, you should know I'm not here to apologize to you, so your suggestion is unfounded."

"Don't tell me you think it's me who should apologize."

"The situation requires no apologies. You and I both had reasons for reacting as we did. Perhaps is best to discuss those reasons rather than apologize for them. Doing that would be…"

"Belittling the situation." She said, not allowing me to finish.

"Yes."

"I agree," she replied, "but still, why the sake?"

"Like I said, it's been a long day."

"Have a seat," she said, pointing to the table, "I suppose you're right. With your sister almost dying, you must be overwhelmed."

"And you almost died as well." I replied.

I didn't know if my words would go unnoticed or not, but I still had to try. Perhaps this would make her drop her guard.

"So you found out?" She asked, turning away to look for the sake.

"Rukia told me."

"Oh, I get it. You're not here to apologize, you're here to say thank you." She stated scathingly.

"If I must be honest, what happened today only provided me with an excuse to come see you, not the idea."

"Hmm." She murmured. "Here you go."

"Thank you." I replied, taking the offered beverage from her hands. She sat at the table next to me, pouring a cup of sake for her.

"Well, in keeping with the honesty, I kind of thought you would try to find me." She announced.

"Why is that?" I asked, surprised by the comment.

"What happened today is too good of an excuse to meet me, don't you think?" she noted.

She then smirked, amused by her own comment, "Oh right, silly me! You already said that."

I found her commentary amusing as well, but I was too busy thinking of what to say next, so my expression didn't change.

"Excuse or not, I do want to thank you, albeit that's not the sole reason for my being here," I stated, "After all, you saved my sister from death, I can't overlook that."

She sat silently for a moment, pouring sake on both cups.

"You don't have to thank me. I was just doing what's right." She answered modestly.

"Perhaps you are right, but what you did is not as simple as you make it out to be."

"How so?"

"You've protected the person that I care for the most," I said, noticing the surprise on her face, "Rukia is all I have, my pride and only joy…"

I was surprised by my sudden confession, but unable to withhold it. I leaned closer to where she sat, my eyes fixed on hers.

"…To save Rukia is to save my life," I said, gently grabbing her hand and pressing it onto my lips, "so I'm forever in your debt, Matsumoto Rangiku."

I released her hand, turning my attention to her gaze. I could tell she was astonished, which was interesting to admire. In the small amount of time I'd been in contact with the woman she had never struck me as being shy, rather the complete opposite. Despite this, it seemed as if my action had rendered her speechless, which led me to believe I had, in some way, offended her.

"Have I done something to offend you?"

She was baffled, stunned by all that happened. I could, however, understand the feeling, as I was trying my best to hide my anxiety.

"Not at all, Taicho."

"Byakuya please. I'd be honored if you did." I modestly stated.

"That's very kind of you, but what I did for Rukia I would do for anyone that required such from me. You don't owe me anything."

"That you'd be willing to do that for anyone makes you a far better shinigami than I could ever hope to be. I admire your response more than I would lead you to believe, considering I'm not one who would act in such a laudable manner."

"Well, if this is true, Byakuya-sama, then pay your debt to me by acting properly the next time the situation asks such from you." She retorted.

We stared silently at each other for a moment, both unable to utter any words.

My attention was diverted towards her arm. That arm that selflessly received a blow meant for my sister, thus preventing her passing. The same arm that a few days ago I had stubbornly cut into.

I grabbed her hand once more, gently placing it on top of my shoulder, trying my best to keep her from pain.

"Fukutaicho, I hope you will consider this a start. Please keep your hand on my shoulder."

A soft glow emanated from my hands, concentrating my reiatsu on healing the arm that saved my sister from an imminent death, and me, from a lifetime of further regret.

"Kuchiki-taicho, there's no need…"

"Please allow me, is the least I can do. Keep your hand in its place." I said, as the light continued to leave my hands.

I felt her hand grab my shoulder, squeezing harder as the seconds passed, strength returning to the extremity.

"Taicho, the Fourth Division…"

"Is busy attending other affairs. There's no reason to disturb them when I can easily heal your arm."

My eyes remained focused on the healing, but this didn't prevent me from noticing the smile that played upon her face.

"You're just as stubborn as your sister, aren't you?" She said teasingly.

I took her hand and gently placed it on the table, having healed her arm entirely.

"It is a rather unpleasant trait my family carries. Apparently, it has rubbed off on Rukia. I apologize."

"Huh," she uttered, raising one eyebrow, "well, I guess I can forgive you this time, Taicho."

Her choice of title disillusioned me. I had stated my wish for her to treat me less formally, but it seemed to me as if my recent gesture was not enough to make her grant my wish. Perhaps a more direct approach could help.

"I'm afraid this conversation won't lead us anywhere if you refuse to use my name, Fukutaicho."

"Well, I'm sorry, Byakuya," she said somewhat sarcastically, "but pray tell, if I'm supposed to use your name, why can't you use mine?"

"You have not allowed me to. I'd hate to offend you." I replied.

"That's a stupid excuse and you know it, Byakuya."

"I won't apologize for my manners, Fukutaicho."

"Oh, stop it!" She answered, annoyed, "Use my name, Byakuya. I won't twist your arm to get you to do it."

"Of course you won't, Rangiku. And I wouldn't want you to."

"See? Isn't that easier than always using 'Fukutaicho'?" She asked, her face a mixture of relief and exasperation.

"Perhaps."

She smirked once more. It seemed as if my comment had amused her, so I sat there, watching her mock my reply, although I knew she really wasn't. For a moment I thought I could sit there for days on end and not feel tired or distressed, comforted by her presence. My brain, however, pulled me from the trance.

"Well, I should leave so you can rest, Rangiku." I said, leaving the table and walking towards the door.

"Hold on, Byakuya." She answered, taking my hand in hers, forcing me to stop.

I turned to glance at her once more, noticing the look in her eyes. It was that look, the one that went missing longer than I ever wanted it to be. And as usual, I was lost.

Her hand released mine, her body slowly approaching me. She stopped once we stood before one another, our eyes meeting one more time. She opened her arms and leaned against me.

Her arms embraced me, and for the smallest of moments I thought it was only another trick, just like the ones she had previously pulled on me. Yet, as I felt her warmth surround me, I realized I was wrong.

She was just like me, a broken person in need of company. I could find hundreds of reasons to prove my theory, but the dead giveaway was her demeanor. She didn't expect me to consent to her solemn request, she only hoped I would, as she laid her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her; my response to her petition. That firm embrace was something we both needed.

My hand, however, betrayed me, travelling to her cheek. I was lost, with no control over my actions. Nonetheless, I cared not for this, as I could only bring myself to be in the moment.

Her voice broke the silence in the room; her breath warm on my shoulder.

"Thanks for healing my arm."

"Thank you for saving…" I stopped, my mouth incapable of speaking the truth, "… For saving my sister."

It was a brief moment. So brief I almost didn't notice how she didn't need me to say it was me she saved. It was interesting to realize that such a moment could be this overwhelming.

As I held her in my arms, I started to realized what would happen if I stayed, and the longer it takes me to take my leave of her, the harder it will become.

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Their holding each other!!! He's not at the door anymore, now he's holding her! And Byakuya drank sake, with Rangiku! Oh, what would Seireitei be without sake! My inner fangirl is so high on soon-to-be-canon crack!! I wouldn't know what else to say after this chapter. Perhaps 'To Be Continued" would fit?

Byakuya is having some sort of uncharacteristic week, with him drinking sake over here and cursing on the manga. Only he can do those things while being sexy in the process.

Ok, now onto contest matters. This week I'm offering to write a drabble for the fourth reviewer as well as whoever hits the 50 reviews mark. If either Gloaming Grove or Achalys win, then I shall be mean and give the prize to whoever reviews after them. If they review after each other, then I'm screwed XD. Nah, the prize will go to whoever reviewed before and after them. Remember, the offer is for a drabble on which ever pairing or character the winner chooses. I'm cool with slash but no pedophilia or incest please. Anonymous reviews don't count. I'll only consider those who are members. That's as simple as I can't PM an anonymous reviewer, so sorry to those who do.

Now comes the moment in my A/N in which I blatantly ask for reviews. Please review. I gets happy when I see the "you've got mail" icon flash. Let me know what you though of the chapter.

Have a nice week everyone. See you next friday. And remember, Rangiku is hugging Byakuya! Woot!