A/N: Wow! I can't believe it's been almost two years since I've updated this story! For those of you still reading this...I apologize for the length of time between updates, and thank you for still reading. :) I'm thinking that I'll wrap this up in the next three to four chapters. It just depends on where my imagination takes me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of its affiliated characters, though I wish I did. Yara, however, is a character derived from my imagination; so I do own her.

A Noble Heart

Chapter 4: The Calm Before the Storm

Yara woke in the middle of the night. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she glanced around and froze as she felt a strong hand around her waist. Her eyes grew large as she noticed Byakuya's face inches from hers, his breathing regular and deep.

What is he doing here, she asked herself. They couldn't be found like this or there'd be hell to pay. She'd already been instructed that if situations like these occurred and the offenders were caught....they were forced to wed, thereby foregoing greater embarrassment. And kami help her should she embarrass his family- the Noble House of Kuchiki!

Carefully and slowly, the curvy red head slipped from Byakuya's grasp, and that's when she noticed a pair of doors near his side of the bed. Curious, she quietly escaped through the sliding door, stepping into the surreal, awe-inspiring garden. The scenery around her made her stop cold, caught up in its quietly majestic, yet peaceful, landscape.

It was a rather lush, green garden complete with a fountain in the center and various benches scattered throughout. This place was enormous yet it held such an inviting appeal. There were Sakura trees, Chinese Bellflowers and various other colorful flowers and plants inviting the eye, their aromas fragrant and relaxing.

Yara sat on the nearest bench and stared at the fountain, reveling in the gurgling water and the slight warm breeze.

Peaceful.

Yes, she could see how anyone could easily relax and allow themselves to feel peaceful. Free. She could easily feel her inner turmoil lose its grasp to the serenity of this seemingly sacred place. For how long- she couldn't say.

Inhaling deeply, a small smile flit across her lips, feeling a small portion of the heaviness in her heart lifting. She could easily let go here. In this place of tranquility problems seemed non-existant. At this moment, the world could rest in her hand, feeling her dreams within a touch, if she only reached out. Her wish was to remain, here, with Byakuya,. However, reality dictated a much different fate. She wouldn't allow herself to contemplate this issue for the moment. She only wanted to enjoy the peace permeating her soul, her burdens easing as she sat amongst such beauty and solitude.

"Outside life seems to bear no significance here."

"Byakuya." His name a breathless whisper.

Inclining his head slightly in her direction, he replied, "Your anger with me seems to have abated."

Confused, she returned, "What led you to that conclusion?"

"You've returned to a first name basis."

Frankly, he was somewhat relieved. Every time she added an honorific it pierced him, causing discomfort in the region of his heart. An invisible fist squeezed his chest when she'd revert to calling him Byakuya-sama. It irritated him, in fact. Especially when she referred to several other male Shinigami by their first names, leaving off the honorific.

Personally, aside from Yara, he despised discussing emotions, feeling they were inconsequential, making a man weaker to admit thus. Even Rukia wasn't aware of his true feelings towards Yara. Rukia also was unaware of how he'd come to care for her, despite the length of time that passed after being adopted into his family and being as she was his late wife's younger sister. He felt she was his sister in every respect. People even remarked that the two of them resembled each other very closely, and despite no blood relation between them, their resemblance suggested otherwise.

"What disturbs you so?"

Such a simple question yet the answer didn't feel so simple.

"I couldn't sleep." Deciding to be honest, yet holding back seemed easier than to divulge the truth in its entirety.

She heard the rustle of his clothes and suddenly he was beside her, his expression thoughtful, open; an expression she didn't witness often. It seemed that in this garden, his shoulders bore no weight, more specifically the hefty burden of the Kuchiki clan, and of being unit six's captain.

"Is that so?" His voice sounded amused.

"It is," she stated certainly.

"That's not the only source of your troubles." He spoke confidently, no hesitation. He paused momentarily before his next statement. "You do not have to speak of it if you do not wish. People should be able to experience privacy, and I will not force your confliction from you if you're not ready. Just know that I'm prepared to listen."

She turned to him, the full moon's light illuminating their figures, his eyes twinkling, his face serious. Quickly, she embraced him, enjoying the warmth his body provided, breathing in his familiar smell; wishing they could stay like this forever, wishing only for their happiness.

"Thank you, Byakuya."

A miniscule smile adorned his lips, as he held her tight. Her initiation of the hug was unexpected, but not unwelcome. She felt so perfect in his arms, so right. Here, in this garden, he felt the impossible was achievable, that nothing could stand between them. However, all too soon, reality would intrude, the spell broken and they would have to go their separate ways.

"Yara?"

No reply.

She was quiet, her breathing pattern soft and shallow. It seemed that she'd fallen asleep.

Picking her up, holding her close, unwilling to let her go, he made his way indoors and placed her in his bed before disrobing and following suit, sleep quickly swooping in to claim him as well.

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A pair of dark blue eyes, captivating and hard, stared intensely at the leader of the Gotei Thirteen, Genryusai Yamamoto. "Genryusai-dono, you must know why I'm here," he began.

"Yes. Certain things have passed the point of your tolerance, has it not?"

The other shinigami nodded. "Hai."

"And you wish to interfere."

The twin pools of blue hardened into steel. "It is an abomination; one which I cannot stomach," he hissed scathingly.

He was highly infuriated that his family's noble name was, at this moment, being dirtied- their reputation, their namesake sullied. In fact, he felt a murderous rage when pondering their thoughtlessness, disrespect and blatant disregard for everyone else's feelings. Who were they to flaunt such a fledgling relationship before their family and all Soul Society? Yes, he was angered beyond all words.

Yamamoto-taichou sat calmly behind his desk, his fingers folded together, taking a moment in thoughtful repose. He understood the concerns behind the words, feelings, and knew they weren't completely unfounded. This situation had happened before, not the exact situation, mind you, yet it closely mirrored it all the same. Personally, he was loath to intervene, destroying a couple's happiness, but their way of life, of honor, must be preserved, or they possessed nothing.

After listening to all the other man's arguments and reasoning, Genryusai made his decision. His head turned to his fuku-taicho. He ordered him to bring the ill-fated couple before him with all due haste. Swallowing the bitterness in his mouth, he addressed his friend, "I hope you're aware of what you're doing, of whom you're provoking, Kuchiki-sama."

A/N: I know it's been forever since I updated, and if any of you are still reading this: thank you! I apologize for any mistakes that are made, as I do not have a beta. I hope to be wrapping up this story within a few more chapters. I only hope you enjoyed reading this one. Have a great weekend everyone! :)