Chapter Forty-Four: Close to Black

Life's just a bunch of doors and hallways. You gotta hope you pick the ones with the least amount of caltrops in the hallways.

-Naria Bladeshadow

Byakuya's dark locks swayed gently in the cool winter winds sweeping through the garden, covering and uncovering his gray eyes as he took in Kagome's rant. Waiting until she was finished and doing his best (which meant succeeding) at keeping his amusement from his face.

"I really just...ooh it makes me so angry. That guy needs such a big sit." Kagome finally finished after a minute or two of going on. She took a deep breath as if she was going to continue but then just let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair.

"You going to be all right?" Byakuya was still amused but he kept it under control, watching the younger woman seriously.

"Yeah I suppose. Just doesn't leave much time." Kagome offered, blushing a little at being watched while she lost her temper. Given he never seemed to lose control it was a little embarrassing whenever he watched her while she went on.

"It will be managed. You shouldn't worry so easily." Byakuya commented, still half watching her as he begin to eat.

"Well..." She sighed and leaned forward to stir at the soup set out for her. "...it's not just that. I... I think we need more time to talk too."

"Won't we have a lot of time for that?" Byakuya asked. Lifting his spoon to take a bite without spilling anything.

"Well, I mean, I'd like it if we got to know each other a little better before we were actually married. Isn't that usually what the year of engagement is for?" Kagome managed, not looking at him helped a lot. "I miss the white make up."

"I suppose you are correct. What else do you want to know?" Byakuya kept his end of the conversation. He wanted her to feel as comfortable as he could make her and it seemed logical enough.

"Everything." Kagome commented, leaning forward unlike her perfect companion to take a bite of her soup without spilling it. "What are your likes, dislikes, favorite things, good and bad memories. More than we could probably talk about if we had the entire week."

"I don't see why they aren't things that cannot be discussed later." He was watching her as she stared back at him, curious why the new interest. Hoping she wouldn't decide to try and have something else she wanted to discuss, he doubted the Prince would remain pleasant if she asked for anything further.

"They can I guess yeah..." Kagome deflated a little, with her fit of anger over she was just sort of sad at the way things were working out. "...is there anything you want at the wedding?"

It was a odd question to suddenly bring up but also important for Kagome, she wouldn't want him regretting anymore than he already did. Though the pause was short before he shook his head to her negatively. He'd only be concerned if his Lt. and sister attended and they were already due for that so he had nothing to request.

"No. Those who I would like to attend are there." He answered her honestly, surprised a bit himself that it was so easy for him to speak of it. "Is it that simple? Will I just forget Hisana and move on? Never...and yet..."

"You seem troubled though." Kagome was as observant as ever when it came to the normally poker faced death god. Making him smile a little at her concerned features, here he was being disgraceful to both the woman he once loved and his future bride. He would have to move on, to learn to care for Kagome. She deserved far better but she had chosen to be with him, to help him, and he would do what he could to honor her decision.

"I am well Kagome." He nodded to her. "Better I'd say than you are in this instant. I will see what I can do about letting us leave tonight if it will ease your tension."

"A little I guess..." She agreed while wringing part of her kimono in her hands, it was a nervous habit she'd quickly gotten into sense she'd been forced to dress her part. "...answer me a simple question first?"

He waited.

"What's your favorite color?" She smiled her best innocent smile. She figured if she could get small questions out of him throughout the week then it would be a good start to knowing him better.

It took him a moment to answer, a bit surprised at the sudden chaotic nature of the girl seated across from him. Finally managing a single word for her as he rose from his chair to head and discuss early plans to go to the mortal world.

"White."

*****

"I should have known better."

It wasn't something the captain of the sixth squadron thought to himself often, or almost ever really. Of course, lately he'd been doing a lot of things that were out of character for him. Now wasn't the time for him to dwell on the changes in his personality, he was too busy flash stepping as they were being chased.

Something had happened to the soul cleanser, it was not set to run today and it was far faster than it should have been. Possibly the result of the recent war but just as likely some sort of fiddling by one of the traitors that Aizen seemed to have planted all over soul society. If the nobles had left tomorrow as planned it would have wiped out most of the leading parties, as it was most of the guards that were assigned to go with them hadn't managed to outrun the new pace of the programmed monster.

Kagome was clinging to his chest as he moved far faster than she was likely comfortable with. Just as well considering he'd rather not have her see anyone be undone by it, she was ignorant of just how close to death they were. Even he was having trouble keeping ahead, only two members of the dozen that had come with them were still up and he doubted they would last much longer. They already were seeming very tired.

"For all the things I've been through, to possibly be overrun by that thing seems so ignoble." He gritted his teeth and continued to run but it was obvious that even he was starting to get tired carrying Kagome with him. What was worse was that the thing seemed to be speeding up.

He thought about telling her but then decided against it, talking could be a waste of breath and therefore slow him down and it seemed nicer to let her not know, for all they knew it wasn't a painful way to go so if she wasn't aware of what was coming it would be better for her.

Two more short flashes of spiritual energy told him the last of their guard had been caught up too, but he could see the light that signaled the other end of the passage and it would be moments before they would reach safety. Perhaps their loss will have bought enough time to dash through the exit.

It was a fleeting hope as he felt the pressure of the chasing cleanser increase as it's impossible speed gained even more momentum. He wasn't going to make it...all the things they were worried about were about to not mean anything. He pulled her tighter as he made a final leap before everything faded to black.

End Chapter

Cliffhanger! OMG I couldn't write for so long and man, I just...I don't really like this chapter much. I might change it later, and combine 43 and 44. But for now at least I got something up. Whew, Aizen is a evil bastard isn't he?

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Nasuki - ATM she's more worried about other stuff...like planning her wedding and whatever it is that byakuya's running away from...

articulus - Hmm, sometimes I do forget little stuff cause I usually only have chances to update in spurts and I try to go back and check to make sure if I'm not certain. I apologize for that one, I checked to see but I must have missed it.

DarkPhoenixSlash - OMG reviews lol. I luvs you. And Aizen does screw up but man, he's a evil prick eh?

clusterlizard1 - No idea who the Prince from Lexx is. I appreciate subscribtions, sorry it's so hard for me to update. I actually have the story planned out to the end but I gotta get the time to write it. And yes the royalty have a ridiculous amount of power in my story cause nobles tend to have more power so I figure royals are fuck scary.