Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, alerts, and favs. I really appreciate them, they are real motivators. OMG, there were so many reactions to Yoruichi cutting her hair. I loved it, it's so good to see people so into the story.
Three days had past since Byakuya welcomed Yoruichi back to the Soul Society. After his grandfather's "setup" he decided it was best to avoid Yoruichi until he fully adjusted to her return. He also thought he might need to avoid his grandfather as well. Byakuya did not want to get caught up in the old man's plans. Just as Byakuya was about to leave his office a young messenger arrived.
"Captain Kuchiki, I have a message for you." The young man kneeled and handed Byakuya the message.
Byakuya took the message. His eyes grew wide as he read the message from his grandfather. Byakuya promptly dismissed the messenger. I can't believe grandfather has the audacity to try and dictate my comings and goings all because he wants me to run into Yoruichi. Byakuya took the message and started walking towards the Kuchiki grounds. His attempt at controlling the situation is almost mind-boggling. I can't believe he actually sent me a copy of Yoruichi's schedule and indicated places where I could purposely to run into her. Byakuya sighed heavily as he walked through the gates of the Kuchiki estate. He continued swiftly to his grandfather's home griping the message tightly in his hand. As soon as Byakuya stepped foot in his grandfather's section of the Kuchiki compound two guards appeared stopping him immediately. "Let me pass", Byakuya demanded.
"Captain Kuchiki, we must ask that you to wait here until you are approved to enter Kuchiki-sama's home" responded the taller of the two guards.
"Approved, I am the head of the Kuchiki clan. I am free to move anywhere on the Kuchiki grounds," responded Byakuya calmly.
The two guards did not move. This time the shorter thin guard replied, "Captain Kuchiki, we were ordered by Ginrei Kuchiki not to allow anyone in without his permission."
Byakuya frowned. "I am sure that command did not include me." Just as Byakuya was about to say something else a third guard appeared.
The third guard a very muscular man walked over to Byakuya. "Right this way Captain Kuchiki, Kuchiki-sama is waiting for you in the garden." The other two guards moved quickly out of the way so Byakuya and the third guard could pass.
Before Byakuya and the guard reached the garden Byakuya paused as he felt a familiar spiritual pressure. She's here but why and why is she masking her spiritual pressure? Are she and grandfather having secret meetings now? I should leave now. Byakuya frowned.
"Is there something wrong Captain Kuchiki?"
Byakuya did not reply to the guard he just continued walking forward. Yoruichi's spiritual pressure was getting stronger and Byakuya was becoming more annoyed with each step. What happened at our last meeting will not happen again, I'll make sure of that. I was just taken aback by the situation and surprised by her appearance nothing more. Byakuya paused again as he reached the garden, he heard a very unfamiliar sound Ginrei's laughter. First Byakuya thought Ginrei coughed but after seeing his grandfather's face he knew it was a ragged attempt at laughter.
Ginrei gestured to Byakuya using his hand. "Oh Byakuya there you are, come and have tea with us."
Byakuya kept his eyes focused on his grandfather as he walked slowly over to the table and the guest. "Good Day grandfather." "Yoruichi" he said quickly looking at her for only a second then he turned quickly to Ai. "And" His mind drew a blank as he stared at the woman before him. She reminds me of an older smaller Yoruichi but who is she?
"Byakuya, you remember Ai-sama don't you, Yoruichi's aunt."
"My you've grown young Kuchiki. Hasn't he Yoruichi?" Ai turned to Yoruichi.
"Yes, Byakuya-bo has." Yoruichi smiled. Byakuya frowned at the nickname and the comment.
"Yes, into a handsome young man." Ai turned to Yoruichi again.
Yoruichi responded by taking a sip of tea. Yoruichi shifted her glance towards the koi pond. I am not falling for that one.
Ginrei looked at Byakuya. "Byakuya what brings you by?"
"I wanted to discuss the message I received from you, but it can wait until another time. I"
"Yes it can" Ginrei interrupted. "Now is time for tea, it's not everyday this garden is filled with such beauty", said Ginrei as he looked at Yoruichi and then Ai. The two women smiled at Ginrei. He turned his attention to Byakuya who had perplexed look on his face. Ginrei shook his head gently.
"I will leave you to your guest and your tea."
"No need young Kuchiki Yoruichi and I will be leaving." Ai turned to Yoruichi.
"Yes, we should go."
"You don't have to leave because of Byakuya. I can talk to him anytime," said Ginrei to Ai.
"No Ginrei, it's time to go, thank you for a wonderful afternoon tea." She smiled warmly at him and then stood up. Yoruichi followed her cue. "It was good seeing you again young Kuchiki."
"Thank you" Yoruichi turned to Ginrei. Yoruichi nodded to Byakuya and the two Shihoin were gone before either Kuchiki men could speak.
"What do want to discuss Byakuya?"
"The message you sent I-"
"You can disregard the message." Ginrei stood up. "Yes, I should have cancelled it but I guess it slipped my mind." Ginrei started walking to his home.
"Good, I am glad we are finally on the same page when it comes to Yoruichi." Byakuya started walking with his grandfather.
"Byakuya I am not sure how long it will take for us to be on the same page when it comes to you and Yoruichi. I only said you could disregard the message because the schedule no longer works" Ginrei entered his home and Byakuya followed. "Byakuya, Yoruichi is leaving, that's why Ai was here."
Byakuya's heart quickened as the words "Yoruichi is leaving" echoed his ears. Why? When?" the questions quickly slipped from Byakuya's mouth. Ginrei stopped walking upon hearing the questions. Byakuya immediately regretted asking those questions out loud. Byakuya cleared his throat and continued in a very slow monotone voice. "She just took over has commander again and head of her clan."
"Byakuya I don't know all the details for that you'll need to ask Yoruichi. I do suggest you do it quickly she's leaving today or tomorrow."
"Humph, it is of no importance to me. Its no surprise that she'd leave again", responded Byakuya as he stood in the doorway of Ginrei's office.
"Fine. You don't have to ask Yoruichi, but I do want you to make sure she gets this before she leaves." Ginrei handed Byakuya a red, black, and white sealed box. "Have Yoruichi to give this to Ai, I meant to give it to her before she left but it slipped my mind. I would've remembered if Ai didn't have to leave so abruptly because of your visit. Good-bye Byakuya".
Byakuya just stood there staring at the small box in his hand as his grandfather walked away. So she's leaving again "I don't care", said Byakuya as he quickly left his grandfather's home and hurried to the Shihoin estate. He stared at the box once again just before he entered the gates of the Shihoin compound. "Humph". Two guards met Byakuya as entered the gate. Without having to say a word Byakuya was quickly escorted to Yoruichi's meeting room.
"Byakuya-bo, this is quite the surprise." Yoruichi relaxed in her chair. This time her two guards sat in the opposite corners of the room watching Byakuya. "What brings you by?"
"This." Byakuya walked over with a very serious face and handed Yoruichi the small box.
"A gift for me, you shouldn't have." Yoruichi smiled playfully at him.
His facial expression did not change. He looked as if he was giving a lecture not a gift. "I didn't and it is not for you. My grandfather would like for you to give that to Ai-sama."
"Oh and here I was thinking you brought a gift as your way of making our bond even stronger and wonderful," she said as her eyes flirted with his. Yoruichi couldn't help laughing lightly after the comment.
"Why should I do that you're leaving soon aren't you", responded Byakuya in a cutting tone.
"Oh so you know about that." Yoruichi noticed Byakuya's jaw tightened and the look in his eyes become dark.
"Why am I not surprised you'd be leaving so soon?"
Yoruichi took in a deep breath and stared Byakuya in is dark cold eyes. "Say it Byakuya?"
"Say what?" Byakuya asked in monotone voice.
"Whatever it is you have to say so you can stop looking at me like that and we can move on." Yoruichi's posture changed as she sat in a more authoritative pose.
"Yoruichi you think too highly of yourself".
"Do I? Then why do you keep looking at me like your jaw is going to snap any second and your eyes, your eyes are cold Byakuya", she responded staring deep into those cold dark gray eyes searching for a trace of light.
"Yoruichi I don't have time for this and you don't either don't you have to runaway from your responsibilities again?"
"So that's it, responsibilities don't compare to saving lives Byakuya. Byakuya I made a choice to help those in need."
"By running away and turning your back. Maybe its true what they said, that you couldn't handle your responsibilities." His response was as cold as his eyes.
"This discussion is over Byakuya. I made the right decision and you're not my jury."
"Fine, make sure Ai-sama gets the gift." Byakuya turned to walk away without another word but stopped as Ai walked through the door.
"Young Kuchiki this is a pleasant surprise, what brings you by?" Ai peeked around Byakuya at Yoruichi. "What am I saying? You came to say good-bye to Yoruichi before we leave." Ai smiled at Byakuya.
"I came" Byakuya paused and closed his eyes to gather his thoughts.
"He came to bring you a gift from Ginrei". Yoruichi walked over and handed AI the box.
Ai's sparkling emerald eyes lit up. "Oh he remembered." Both Byakuya and Yorucihi stared at Ai. "He remembered how much I love SenPhil Chocolates. Philip Sen is the Soul Society's best chocolatier. He's old now and normally only makes chocolates three times a year", she held up three fingers, "Christmas, St. Valentines Day, and White Day". Ai smiled and squinting her eyes closed. She then turned and looked at Byakuya. "Young Kuchiki you must give your grandfather a big hug for me. " Ai saw out of the corner of eye Yoruichi's smile fighting her laugher back; Ai quickly changed her request. "I mean you must thank him and tell him how much I appreciate this wonderful gift".
"I will."
"Very good I will leave you two alone so you can say your good-byes." Ai turned to Yoruichi and Byakuya cut his eyes to the side looking away from both women.
"Byakuya was actually about to leave, " remarked Yoruichi hoping to prompt Byakuya's leaving.
"Oh not because of me I hope. Young Kuchiki I promise I will have Yoruichi back to you in seven days," she said as she grabbed Byakuya's hand for a minute.
Byakuya's eyes grew wide and he turned to Yoruichi who had already turned away and started walking back to her seat. She did not see how the words "I will have Yoruichi back to you in seven days" cut through Byakuya once cold stare bringing some light back to his eyes. She's returning.
Yoruichi turned her head to the side. "Ai, Byakuya-bo doesn't care about my comings and goings. He's too busy to worry about them".
He watched as Yoruichi yawned and stretched before continuing to her seat. Damn even her back is perfect. He turned back quickly to a smiling Ai just as Yoruichi turned and plopped down in her seat.
"Oh really." The older woman smiled at Byakuya as she noticed that Byakuya did not chime in to back Yoruichi's claim. "I am sure young Kuchiki would at least like to know you're going to the Royal Realm in case of an emergency."
Yoruichi rolled her eyes. Emergency, what kind of emergency? I know the kind where he won't be able to contact me because I am in the Royal Realm. Gees Ai you're worse than Nin Nin. Byakuya why are you still here I thought you were leaving. "He doesn't need to know that."
Yoruichi, is going to the Royal Realm but why? It doesn't make a difference as long as she is coming back.
"Ai Byakuya-bo simply came to deliver candy for you."
"Oh yes, and that was so kind of him. I mean he could have just given the candy to a messenger, but no he came all the way over here to gave you the candy to give to me." Ai smiled innocently at Yoruichi and then Byakuya.
"I" Byakuya paused to perfect his response. I should've just given the box to a messenger.
Yoruichi sighed and took a cookie. Ai-sama, Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki clan, and I came to stare angrily at Yoruichi. Go ahead and say it Byakuya or just leave cause Ai might even be more tenacious than Nin Nin.
"I also understand why you didn't just give the box to a servant when you arrived. You wanted to make sure it was in good hands, Yoruichi's hands. Plus, it wasn't as if you were avoiding Yoruichi or did not want to speak to her otherwise you would have just given it to one of the guards. By personally giving her the box you got see her before she left and that was a good thing".
Ai started telling Byakuya more about SenPhil chocolates allowing Yoruichi an opportunity to think more about the situation. I am not sure if I would call it a good thing Byakuya, but why did you hand deliver the box to me to accuse me of running away from responsibilities for seven days. Yoruichi lowered her head and shifted her eyes from side to side as she thought back to what Byakuya said it didn't matter because "she was leaving". He wasn't just being a smartass he was serious. He really thought I was leaving again. Yoruichi looked up at Byakuya. That's why you stared at me with those cold dead eyes. She stared at the 6th Division insignia on the back of his haori as if she was trying to mentally get Byakuya to turn around. She wanted to see his eyes, to see if they'd change.
Byakuya blocked out part of Ai's story as he thought about the words Ai spoke earlier. The realization set in. A part of me really did want to see Yoruichi before she left again and that is why personally delivered the box. "I must be going." Byakuya's words interrupted Ai's story and Yoruichi's thoughts.
"Oh don' t let us keep you. I know you must get back to your men. That's right your men, you could've easily had one of your men deliver this box". Ai looked down at the box and then back up to Byakuya. "Again I think you for personally bringing this gift to Yoruichi, that shows great care."
Yoruichi smiled and shook her head gently. Yes, Ai you win, you're more tenacious than even Nin Nin when it comes to Byakuya and I.
"Plus Yoruichi and I must take care of some things before we leave."
Byakuya looked down at the kindly petite woman staring up at him, and responded, "Have a good trip, Ai-sama"; he turned his head slightly to the side "Yoruichi". Then Byakuya started to walk to the door.
Yoruichi saw just enough of his eye to realize that they had changed, still dark but there was a glimmer of light. "Thank you," she responded.
Byakuya paused in the doorway for a moment. He did not know how to respond to her thank you. He wanted to turn around and say something but he could feel her smile tickle the back of his neck and he did not want to face her smile. The last thing he wanted to do was to think of her smile for the next seven days so he made an hmm sound and continued walking a way.
Ai turned and smiled innocently at Yoruichi. So that's where Pa Pa inherited that smile from, Ai. "You know I think you're even worse then Nin Nin, " said Yoruichi just before taking a bite from a cookie.
Ai placed her hand on her chest and looked doe-eyed at Yoruichi. "What?"
"Don't play innocent now I caught on to your little setup earlier when you tried to get me to say Byakuya was handsome. I am telling you it's not going to work. You and Nin Nin can stop your little plan now."
"Yoruichi, Adaeze and I don't have a plan as matter of fact we've never even spoken about you and young Kuchiki". Ai paused as she noticed the surprised look on Yoruichi's face then Ai's eyes lit up.
Yoruichi shifted her eyes to the side and downward. Damn I just gave her an accomplice, with Ai and Nin Nin working together it will be worse than double trouble it's going to be four times as hard.
"Yoruichi, it's because Adaeze and I are older and wiser we can see things that maybe you don't want to see".
"Ai I've seen all I need to see."
"Oh really, that's good to know then you already know how well suited young Kuchiki is for you." Ai smiled at Yoruichi's pouty frown. "I heard stories about the famous Captain Kuchiki, he is a noble, powerful, honorable, and handsome."
"He's also boring, reserved, stubborn, and arrogant", said Yoruichi with a smirk.
"Yes, and all those things make him a perfect match for the infamous Yoruichi Shihoin". Ai winked at Yoruichi and Yorucihi sighed. "I need to get ready for our departure." Ai walked to the door but before leaving she turned around and said, "It's good to know we at least we agree that young Kuchiki is handsome," and with those words Ai disappeared.
The handsome Captain Kuchiki was deep in thought as he left the Shihoin estate behind. He managed to avoid facing Yoruichi's smile but he couldn't avoid thinking about it. Byakuya's mind drifted back to the first day he and Yorucihi spent together as senpai and khoai. He could not help but focus on the smile she gave him so many years ago in that very same room. It was his smile and he missed it. He thought back on all the times he'd seen her smile since her return from death and he realized her smile was not the same and neither was her laughter. Her smile and laughter used to radiate joy and positive energy but not anymore it just wasn't the same. He turned and looked back towards the Shihoin estate. She has changed maybe so much my smile is gone.
Velveteen: Ai is on team ByaYoru, I like her
Peace in Chaos: Yes, she and Adaeze need to double-team Yoruichi and Byakuya. Then Ginrei can come in for the take down
Velveteen: Especially since Ai knows Yoruichi thinks Byakuya is handsome
Peace in Chaos: Yes, both Byakuya and Yoruichi are seeing each other as adults now. Yoruichi noticed that Byakuya has grown up in to be a handsome young man and though he is still fighting it Byakuya definitely knows Yoruichi is hot.
Hey Miko is not here oh , it must be a holiday thing :p Speaking of holidays HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone! Thanks for reading my story, I enjoy hearing from you so please comment, review; send a PM whatever floats your boat. Be safe.