Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
AN: Thank you to everyone who has left a review, comment, faved, or added this story as an alert. I truly appreciate it :) Bad news, about a week ago my new drive crashed. I lost all my new fan art stuff including this chapter, and two new sketched out chapters, and all my notes for this story. The irony is I moved everything to that drive cause I was worried about my old drive. The new drive only lasted 30 days :(
Yoruichi had been awake for almost 15 minutes. The room was dark the lantern had burned out hours ago, but there was just enough light coming through the screened doors for her to see Byakuya's face. Byakuya had slept through the night in her lap. There was no Soi Fon this time to interrupt his slumber. There was no emergency situation hanging over Yoruichi, she and Byakuya were able to enjoy a peaceful night together. She brushed his long black hair slightly out of his face and stared down at him. Byakuya you look so peaceful, I wish you'd share that look with me when you are awake. I guess that is too much to ask for, she lightly touches the bridge of his nose with her slender index finger, I know your heart is in a constant storm when I am around and for that I am sorry but no one can change the past. Not even the Goddess of Flash, she brushed a stray hair from his face, honestly I still believe what I did was right. Yoruichi sighed heavily until she heard a bird singing its heart out.
Day is breaking and you can't stay here are all day Byakuya. I know you wouldn't disregard your duties for a few hours of extra sleep so wake up. Yoruichi lightly traced the outside of Byakuya's ear with her finger. She had hoped it would wake him subtly, but all he did was grunt and moved his shoulder up near his ear. Yoruichi smiled. You're not going to make this easy are you? No, nothing is ever easy with you. Are you planning on spending the day in my lap Byakuya? Byakuya moved his face closer to Yoruichi's body suddenly as if he was answering yes to her question. Yoruichi smiled and shook her head lightly and with hesitation queitly said his name, "Byakuya." Byakuya did not move. "Byakuya," she said his name in a normal tone. Byakuya did not acknowledge the sound of his name and continued his moment of peace. "Byakuya," said Yoruichi this time just below a yell.
"I heard you the first time demon cat," Byakuya replied in a sleepy slur with his eyes still closed. Once again he did not bother to move.
The sound of Byakuya calling Yoruichi demon cat warmed her heart. It had been so long since he'd called her that annoying nickname. She was so pleased she almost let him stay, but the day's light was quickly eating away the peaceful night they had spent together. It was a new day and with a new day came responsibilities ones Yoruichi knew Byakuya would not want to disregard and she did not want any bad thoughts or regrets to tint the peace they just shared. "Byakuya day is breaking."
"Day" his voice cracked out as he fluttered his eyes open. At first all Byakuya could see was black and it took him a moment to realize it was material. Then he soon realized where he was and who was with Day, it can't be, she wouldn't let me, no I wouldn't have stayed here all night. She'll, she'll never let me live this down.
"Byakuya, I know you're awake, its time to get up. I know you don't like to waste a second of daylight."
Oh here it comes. Byakuya mentally prepare himself for the witty mark that would soon fall from Yoruichi's lips but there was nothing. Byakuya waited for a few more moments. What no, are you going to stay here all day? No, is this how you're going to make our bound wonderful? No, Byakuya-bo I - Byakuya stopped as he realized he had not moved he had been laying her lap the entire time. Byakuya got up quickly so quickly it made a little woozy.
Yoruichi notice and quickly got up. She moved her hand out to touch his face but Byakuya stopped her by gently grabbing her wrist. "I'm fine it's just a little headache."
"Are you sure?" Yoruichi questioned him because she was concerned and Byakuya could see the concern in her eyes.
"I should go." Byakuya let go of Yoruichi's wrist.
"I understand."
Byakuya continued standing in place trying not to stare into Yoruichi's eyes. Damn why is she staring at me like that. Why can't I move? I should just turn around and leave.
Why isn't he moving? I thought he would've run out of the door by now. Yoruichi's stomach growled breaking the awkward silence. Yoruichi would have had breakfast and started her day an hour ago if she did not have her special guest. Yoruichi touched her tummy and smiled "You could stay for breakfast."
Yoruichi's offer was so unexpected the words "Breakfast sounds nice" slipped from Byakuya's lips before he had a chance to even think about the offer. His reply surprised him and Yoruichi.
Yoruichi's smile grew wider. "I'll tell Kai to make sure chef sends enough food for the both of us." She quickly turned around tearing the hold she had on Byakuya.
"No, that is ok, I really should leave."
Yoruichi turned around and said, "You don't have to, Byakuya." Byakuya was already gone. Suddenly a quiet sadness entered the room filling up the space Byakuya left behind. I wish you had stayed Byakuya.
A part of Byakuya desperately wished the same and cried out to Byakuya to turn around. He chose to ignore that small voice. Byakuya hurried away hoping that distancing himself would clear his head and quiet that voice. I can't let this happen. Byakuya rushed to the Sixth Division headquarters. He was so focus on getting there he did not even hear his grandfather call out to him from a distance.
"Captain Kuchiki is acting rather peculiar, Ginrei," said Captain Commander Yamamoto, the old but muscular head of the Gotei 13. Yamamoto's very long white beard moved to the side a breeze came through.
"Yes very." Ginrei shook his head lightly and he and Yamamoto watched Byakuya disappear out of sight.
Yamamoto and Ginrei were not the only ones Byakuya ignored. He had no time for pleasantries. He quickly stormed pass Unohana, Ukitake, and Shunsui without even noticing them. The men in his division moved quickly out of his way as he made it to his captain's quarters.
Byakuya immediately stripped out his clothing and headpiece and jumped in the shower. Hot water danced across his pale skin as he tried to push Yoruichi out of his mind but it didn't work. He used his left arm to lean on the wall of the shower as he held his head directly under the water. Byakuya tossed his head back and ran his fingers through his long wet raven hair. Why do you always do this? How can you work your way back in so easily. Damn, why can't I hate you, Yoruichi? You always manage to slip back don't -. Byakuya held his again up under that water. He thought back on all the times Yoruichi had made him so mad the little blue vain in the middle of his forehead would appear and then she would make everything alright again by doing something he thought was amazing like getting Master Yoshi to give them private calligraphy lessons.
Byakuya left the shower and went to the mirror to shave. He looked into the mirror and started his mantra. "Yoruichi is not beautiful" he pictured Yoruichi with those same eyes of concern from this morning, "sigh, Yoruichi is beautiful but she is still an evil demon cat."
Yoruichi did not try to push Byakuya out of her mind as she sat in her indulgent bath. She rubbed the large luffa over her deep brown skin and thought of the man that left her to eat breakfast alone. "Byakuya why did you get my hopes up and then run away. Why did my name cross your lips again as you slept? Is it because you even fight with me in your sleep or was it a good dream? " She held up the wet luffa sponge and stared at it. "You wouldn't tell me even if you were here would you? You are still a difficult man to deal with. I can't ask too much of you can I? You said I was late last night because you were waiting on me to come home just like you did a 100 years ago." The same quiet sadness from earlier rolled back. Yoruichi sank deeper into the tub hoping the sadness would relax away.
Away went Byakuya to watch his men perform drills. Normally would watch his men run through the drills once and had Renji to work with the men on areas he had issues with then leave to work on his paperwork, but today was different Byakuya watched the men with an increased critical eye. He had Renji to run the through the entire set of drills three times in a row. Byakuya finally stopped after seeing his men slouched over huffing and puffing. "Renji we need to work on the men's conditioning", with those words he left and his squad breathed a sigh of relief.
Watching his squad kept Byakuya's mind off of Yoruichi but now there was only silence as he walked the empty walkway to his office. His thoughts of Yoruichi came flooding back. I can't believe I spent the night with her. I shouldn't have let myself get so comfortable. It must have been the sake. I am never going out drinking with Ukitake and Shunsui again. Byakuya sat his desk and started working on a conditioning program for his squad.
"Byakuya," a stern voice came from the doorway.
"Hello grandfather, what brings you here today."
"Come walk with me Byakuya." Ginrei turned around and headed out into the hall.
"Grandfather, I have a lot of work to attend to." Ginrei looked over his shoulder at Byakuya with a very stern look. Byakuya moved from his desk, " Grandfather, I must not stray from my duties for too long."
Ginrei continued to walk forward and Byakuya followed. The two walked in silence for over 10 minutes. Byakuya did not know where they were going but he was hoping they would get there quickly and it wasn't going to turn into a meeting with Yoruichi. No, what if he is taking me to meet with Yoruichi, Byakuya turned quickly and looked at his grandfather, "Grandfather" The last person I want to see is Yoruichi, not after this morning. "Where are we-"
"It's a beautiful day isn't it Byakuya?" Ginrei stopped walking looked up at the clear blue sky.
"Yes, it is but-"
"So you can see and hear that's good." Byakuya gave Ginrei a puzzled looked. "The only explanation for you behavior earlier is that you've met with Yoruichi since her return yesterday."
Yesterday, how'd he know she returned yesterday? "Grandfather all I did was have the men run through their drills a few times they needed the work"
"Your men, I am not talking about the division Byakuya. I am talking about earlier. You don't know what I am talking about". Ginrei sighed. "That means you saw her this morning that is the only explanation for your behavior".
Byakuya looked away trying to remember this morning but all he could think about being in Yoruichi's quarters what happened between them. What is he talking about?
Ginrei's words broke Byakuya's thoughts. "Byakuya you can't deny that Yoruichi has an affect on you any longer. You need to figure out how to deal with it."
"Grandfather, I-"
"Yes I know you have work to do so return to your work, " and with those words Ginrei walked off. Byakuya stepped forward but Ginrei raised his right hand indicating that Byakuya should not follow him. Ginrei then flashed stepped away.
The headache from this morning had intensified 20 fold. Byakuya's head felt as if would explode at any moment. He covered the top half of his face with his right hand and sighed. "Dammit, Yoruichi, why?"
"Why what Byakuya?"
Byakuya uncovered his face to see Yoruichi staring up at him. She was only inches; she was way too close this time. "It's nothing it's just a bad headache."
"Oh see what happens when you drink too much, trying to hang with the big boys, Byakuya-bo." She smiled and Byakuya frowned. She took as a good sign; it meant he really was OK.
Once again Yoruichi had snared Byakuya with her stare. He didn't move and she didn't either. There was only silence between them but it didn't feel awkward. However Soi Fon quickly disturbed the moment.
"Yoruichi-sama are you ready to leave?" The petite captain of the 2nd Division broke the trance with her words. Byakuya stepped back a couple of steps as a result. He almost bumped into Soi Fon's vice captain Omaeda. The mountain of a man was too busy eating rice crackers to even notice. He continued to eat his crackers.
Yoruichi saw the odd look on Byakuya's face and was compelled to explain to him why she was leaving and again to reassure him she was coming back. "Soi Fon and I have meeting to attend in the real world, but I'll be back tonight. I suggest you not go out drinking with Shunsui and Ukitake this time." Byakuya frowned at Yoruichi again. "Omaeda will you be joining us?"
Before Omaeda could finish eating his mouthful of crackers Soi Fon responded for him,"No, he's staying."
Omaeda whined, "But captain I wanna-" He stopped as Soi Fon gave him a harsh look.
"OK then lets go Soi Fon" Yoruichi and Soi Fon disappeared from sight.
"You can go drinking with me, Captain Kuchiki," said Omaeda just before turning up the bag of crackers to his mouth.
"I refuse," responded Byakuya. He quickly turned and walked away leaving a crumb covered Omaeda.
Velveteen: Byakuya has added Yoruichi is beautiful to his mantra. Now he can drop the she's an evil cat part.
Peace in Chaos: Yes, he'll get there. Now he has a place to sleep if drinks too much.
Miko: The shower and the bathtub, what was all that about? I know it wasn't because they like to bath at the same time.
Peace in Chaos: Well I've wanted to write about them, bathing together for a while and this was close as I could get to it, cause Byakuya is stubborn.
About the next update I am not sure when that will be. As you know I loss my fan fiction stuff when my drive crashed, but I also have a project do every week for the next month or so for school. Plus there is work and work is work I can't skip out on that.
Miko: What? You don't know when you'll update and you leave us with a visual of a crumb covered Omaeda, you must hate your readers.
Peace and Chaos: No, you're wrong I love my readers and that's why I am not leaving my stories unfinished and I am going to update as soon as I can.
As always please leave a comment, review, or send a PM. Thank you for reading this chapter. Until next time :)