RECAP: In the last chapter, Byakuya Kuchiki comes and lends a hand to the trio with the arrancars. Now being left alone, Yoruichi continues to press the question of his presence. Instead of getting a reasonable answer, the Captain had just reached for her, bringing her in closer for a sudden kiss.

CHAPTER 6: Realization

Yoruichi was completely caught off guard as she felt Byakuya's lips on hers. Her mind was completely swept away and she had kissed him back before he managed to pull away. Her golden cat eyes stared up at the male in wonder.

"Byakuya…" The woman breathed as she was able to recompose herself. "You always seem to confuse me." She admitted with a small smile.

The male seemed surprise by her reaction, almost expecting her to go off on him. He could feel a small, extremely rare smile pull at his lips; as his hand reaching to caress her cheek and push back her purple hair. He took notice as her eyes closed with his touch.

"I should get going now." The noble said as his hand pulled away from her.

Yoruichi opened her eyes to look at even with an even more dumbfounded look. Was he for real? Just kiss me like that and then leave?

Byakuya turn to disappear with shunpo, but Yoruichi stopped and grabbed hold of his arm with a look of determination. "Yoruichi..." He breathed.

"You can't just do that, you know." The female said, letting go of his arm. "I thought a noble like you would know." She said, mocking as if she were hurt. "Byakuya.." She said, finally getting to the point. "I am confused." She admitted, looking up at him. "I wish I knew this feeling... But I guess I'm like a freshman with their first hollow hunt." She babbled on. Shaking her head, Yoruichi also brought up her hands and shook them before throwing them down and looking back up at him.

"Stop. Yoruichi." Byakuya said, ever so softly. His voice seemed to sing in her ears as he was close again, lips lips just breath from her ear. "You talk to much." He reminded her. "My subordinate seems to have a lot more enemies than he thinks he can handle." He added. "I'm not leaving to just disappear. I am coming back, my princess." The male said, stepping back and grabbing hold of her delicate hand and lifted it to his.

Yoruichi paused for a moment, her senses seemed to dull when he was this close, and as she listened to him her eyes widened softly as she felt the massive amount of spiritual pressure.

Both she and Byakuya jumped apart in a flash step to avoid a cero. "These things are like insects!" She growled out, frustrated.

"Stay focused." Captain Kuchiki said sternly, his hand not even on his zanpakuto. That was right, he used it for one and final blow. She thought.

Yoruichi nodded, using shunpo to appear above the stronger arrancar that had attacked them. She sent her fist forward, but it dodged and sent it's leg straight into her abdomen, forcing her backwards. Her body seemed to fade before she appeared crouching on a roof. The man seemed to laugh mechanically before dashing off towards her in a sloppy run.

The woman smirked, and turned her fierce eyes on the figure, stopping it cold. She disappeared in a blur, sending a direct kick to it's chest before jumping in the air with her leg raised. She gave a small cattish laugh as she brought her leg down with a powerful kick.

Yoruichi paused for a moment, her features going straight when there wasn't any sound of the arrancar actually crashing. He shouldn't have been able to stop himself… She thought then her eyes widened, turning partially around, she felt the blow she received to her chest, making her cough for a breath before she plummeted to the ground.

Byakuya caught the falling Yoruichi in the middle of a flash step, in the same instant he had said the incantation to his shikai. Sharp rose petal shards rolling towards the arrancar like a wave.

Yoruichi opened her eyes to see she hadn't hit the ground and saw Byakuya's stern face, but something was off about it. It was twisted slightly with anger. She tilted her head before realizing the blow she had received to her chest actually hurt. Cringing lightly, she flash stepped out of his arms and appeared beside him. "Thanks…" She whispered, not meeting his eyes.

The arrancar blew away the shards and raised it's weapon as it began to open for another attack.

"Pity… But you should feel honored to die by my zanpakuto." The noble said, his facial expression not letting up. "Bankai." He said, dropping his sword as it seemed to disappear into thin air while several other blades popped up forming two parallel lines of blades. Yoruichi watched as the blades shattered into it's usual pink rose shards before maneuvering towards the arrancar.

The battle was over within moments.

"Byakuya–"

"What were you thinking?" He interrupted, his voice was harsh and cold, stopping Yoruichi in her tracks. "I told you to stay focused. You always go straight into it without precautions."

"Wait.. Byakuya…" Yoruichi tried to stop him.

"No. One of these days your stupidity is going to get you killed."

"My stupidity? You were waiting for him to attack us first!" Yoruichi snapped. "Just because you didn't get to fight him, don't blame me. I saw an opportunity and I took it. Yes, I fell into it's trap, but you know what? That was my mistake, and I didn't deserve you to save me." She paused, waving her hand as she saw him about to interrupt her again. "The minor injuries I've received are proof enough of my mistake. I don't need you lecturing me like I'm a toddler. Because I'm not."

"You make things so complicated." His voice going soft again. He took her face into his hands. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad that you got hurt." He whispered. "Like I said earlier… I feel a sudden need to protect you."

"When are you going to learn." The cat woman said with a smile. "I don't need protecting." She said before leaning her head up as her hands grasped onto his hair, pulling him into a long awaited kiss.

Suddenly Yoruichi's eyes flew opened, gasping for breath. She looked around the room frantically. Had it all been a dream? No.. It couldn't have been. It felt… It felt so real. Yoruichi's eyes were wide with confusion. She looked up to see a door being pushed to the side.

"Everything okay?" Kisuke asked as he waved his fan around. "Your spiritual pressure is just out of control. I got worried."

"Nothing happened?" Yoruichi asked quickly, thinking quietly.

Kisuke closed his fan with a concerned look. "Nothing happened. You look bent out of shape over something. Is everything okay?" He asked.

"Yes. Yes." The woman said, getting up and rushing the male out and shut the door.

Yoruichi sighed and frowned. "So everything… Was a dream." She realized quietly.

A/N: I figured this chapter would make things flow easier with Yoruichi realizing her feelings towards Byakuya and realizing everything was a dream and not happening.(: Review Please.(: