Dignified. Elegant. Regal. There were many words to describe Byakuya Kuchiki. However, he wished greatly that the word 'lovesick' would never describe him. As much as he loved Hisana and her sister, Rukia, he was a man who preferred to gain respect through fear.
But recently, he noticed change in everyone, including himself. It was to be expected. Aizen's departure had left three squads without captains. That Kurosaki boy and his friends also caused just as much damage. People were running around and the paperwork never seemed to end.
But Byakuya always had time for her.
His taste in decorations wasn't as 'creative' as Yoruichi's, but he gave Hisana her space. A large white room containing a small shrine. The shrine itself was simple. A few white flowers, and a white-framed picture of the woman who forever holds his heart; Hisana.
Ever since she had died, he spent time at her shrine, visiting her, sometimes staring forlornly, sometimes just plain staring absolutely nothing coming to mind.
Even so, he couldn't help but feel terribly lonely. The feeling had not gone away after he had found and taken in Rukia. But it did make him feel better. He was able to fulfill Hisana's final wish.
Byakuya couldn't help but look away or glare at Rukia. It was almost insulting...Wearing Hisana's face, her voice...But why did he want to dislike Rukia so much? Why did he never look at her?
Was it because he was afraid he'd see Hisana?
Well...That's what he thought before. It seemed as if all the worries in his world disappeared, because of that Ryoka boy; Ichigo. He seemed to gain confidence from the boy...enough to tell Rukia. Enough to look at her. Look at Rukia.
"Nee-sama, can you help me with these papers? So damn confusing..."
Byakuya turned around, looking at the petite shinigami before him. So rapt up in his thoughts, he failed to notice he had walked all the way to Hisana's shrine. His hands hovering over the shrine's handles.
His eyes stared at the shrine for a few moments, a small smile forming on his face. Byakuya turned away from the shrine, towards Rukia.
"Really. It can not be that hard. Let me see."