How have you guys been? It's been what...four months? I'm really sorry. School has been taking up most of my time, and well, lets just say it is a bumpy ride for me. I need to catch up on work and stuff, my A levels are coming up and I'm not prepared!

So please understand that studies will be my priority from now on. Though I would still try my best to update so that I won't lose touch. Did you know that I typed out this entire chapter on bus rides? Yes, that's how busy I am. So I apologise if there's any mistakes in my writing. Thank you again for all your support, I couldn't have done it without you guys. Anyhow, how about updating me with little snippets of your life? I am so bored with studying all day! :(

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

But it's not so bad

You're only the best I ever had

You don't want me back

You're just the best I ever had.

- Best I've ever had, Vertical Horizon

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Byakuya

I had had many predictions on Minori - no , Skye's past since I saw her almost empty personal particulars form. Of everything, I didn't expect that to come out of her mouth.

"I have been staying with Gin from then on, and training under him." she said ruefully. "He convinced me that I should at least be able to protect myself should the need arises."

That explained why she could surpass everyone in the Shinigamis Academy so quickly. She had been trained before. "He helped you achieve bankai too?"

"No, he was not informed of my bankai. I only achieved that shortly after attending the academy." she looked at me then. "Only three people know of it."

"I see."

"I warmed up to Gin a few months after...after Taeda's death. We could be considered as friends." she frowned. "he suggested that I become an official Shinigami. Couldnt have ya wanderin' with meh, he said. But I couldn't get used to living with so many people in the academy...they were so different from me. So...happy."

"And ignorant." I added. She gave me a small, sad smile.

"They pestered me about things I do not wish to share. When I don't satisfy their curiosity, some started gossiping. I didn't know what to do. So I distanced myself from everyone."

I felt a familiar tug in my heart as she told me how alone she was. Living in false pretence so that people around can stop annoying her; trying to grief while living at the same time...it was not a walk in the park.

"Do you regret it?" I asked. She frowned slightly, so I explained, "pretending to be someone you're not. Did you ever regret doing so?"

"Yes." she mumbled so softly that even my trained hearing had difficulty registering it. "It's as though Minori Skye died."

Rukia

There had been many changes since Aizen's betrayal. Security was stepped up, the atmosphere was gloomy, and renovation is ubiquitous. Some even needed to attend therapy sessions. The damage done was both physical and psychological.

Renji was still his usual self, thirteenth division is still operating normally. The betrayal did not affect me as much as it affected the rest. There may be a few changes, such as no more Ichigo, but my life is basically as normal as it can be. That is, until I met Renji and Rangiku yesterday. They were having this arcane meeting and Renji almost looked appalled at my sudden appearance. Rangiku, on the other hand, gleefully pulled me into the conversation and revealed their discussion. Apparently, they had noticed the awkward behaviours of onii sama and decided to investigate. Well, mostly Rangiku, who is an active member of the Shinigami Women's Association.

"Now, so here's the plan. Rukia, as a dutiful sister of the great Kuchiki Taicho, you are going to hold a civilised conversation surrounding the topic of our beloved Skye chan. Renji, your job is to observe his reaction to anything Skye-related and -"

"Wait. Why am I involved in this?" Renji tapped the table irritably.

"Asks the one who started this gossip in the first place. As I was saying, I will be monitoring this entire operation and I will step in if anything goes wrong." Rangiku blabbered on excitedly. "Pushing these two lovebirds together in a month, that's our goal. Any questions?"

I raised my hands. "Yes Rukia, you may speak." Rangiku rolled her eyes.

"Don't you think these things should happen naturally?"

"What? Who planted that thought into your brain? Of course not! Nothing good ever happens naturally. Don't spout nonsense."

"I still don't think it's a good idea." Renji mumbled. "This is Byakuya taicho we are talking about. You don't want to mess with him, Matsumoto."

"Don't be such a spoilsport! He will be thanking us soon enough. Shit, has it been two hours already? Taicho's gonna kill me again!"

She was gone in a flash, leaving Renji to glance at me suspiciously. He had not spoken to me at all during the entire "meeting". "So, you are actually okay with all this?"

His deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Hm? Yeah."

"He's your brother. You know what he's like. I don't want to lose my job any more than you losing your family."

"Renji, he's not gonna fire you just because you want to blabber on about Skye chan. Besides…"

"Besides?"

I didn't know if I should continue. Onii sama is quite personal about his feelings. I forced a smile on my face. "Nah, it's nothing. Hey, do you want to have lunch together?" Renji gave me another stare before nodding his head. I was sure he sensed my awkward change in topic, but did not question me further.

Byakuya

The sky was better today. The bright morning Sun emitted its warm glow and soul society finally looked welcoming. Faint chirping sounds and laughters can be heard from all corners of Seireitei. As lovely as these may be, the atmosphere in the 1st division was completely contrasting. Gloomy, heavy, suffocating even. We were discussing about the recent rise of hollows in the human world. This cannot be a coincidence, Yamamoto soutaicho had said. Aizen will be one step ahead of us, and we need to formulate a plan.

"The hollows there are not only increasing in number, but also in strength. Gaki had informed me of his concern." Soi fong explained. "He was having difficulties fending off these hollows and called for help."

Kenpachi snorted at that. "Well, what is Ichigo for? I'm sure he can kick ass anyday."

"Even though Ichigo is a substitute shinigami, we cannot be too dependent on him."

Yamamoto soutaicho stroked his beard as he pondered upon the discussion. Finally making up his mind, he coughed intentionally, gaining the attention of his fellow captains. "We are currently in a vulnerable position; soul society cannot afford another attack. What if the current hollow sightings in the human world are just a decoy to strike Sereitei at its weakest? We can't send any shinigamis to help Gaki when we can't even secure our peace here."

Unohaha nodded. "That's right. We are at a liability. Ichigo should able to suppress the incidents in the human world for now. We should observe the situations for a few months before deciding if we need to send forces there to help. By then, we would have completely recovered from Aizen's betrayal."

It was silent for a while as the last two words were spoken. I thought of how I almost killed Rukia and Skye. It wasn't something I wanted to experience again.

"Retsu is right. That child should suffice for now. We will discuss this again. Dismissed."

Skye

I had never felt so...liberated in my entire existence. Talking to Byakuya, it really took the weight off my shoulders. It felt good, I'm not going to deny, but it made me nervous at the same time. What would he think of me now? What happens if he tells someone else? Would I forget about Taeda? Will Hotaru no hikari cooperate with me?

These tiny little questions have been floating around my mind since this morning. Sighing, I grabbed my zanpakutou. What better times to meditate then now?

I watched the familiar white light spread around me, surrounding me in nothing but white. Yes, this is my inner world. Nothingness. Its like what some humans would describe when they supposedly entered heaven. Idiots. There never was any heaven. Their souls just travel to soul society so fast - at the speed of light actually, that white is the only thing they see.

Moving on, I noticed I'm not alone. Hikari materialised beside me, as ethereal as ever. "I'm sorry." I said quietly. "For gettin angry at you when I'm the one who should be blamed."

She was still silent, willing me to speak. "I talked to my taicho yesterday. I told him about Taeda and we just-he just sat there and listened. He was-"

"But you didn't tell him everything."

"No. No, I didn't."

Hikari nodded and finally looked at me. "It's a start."

"So what happens now?"

"We'll see. You need to recover from your darkness soon. Aizen would not wait for you."

She was right. Time was not on my side. Any weakness I have would be used against me in times of battle. "I'll do my best." I have to.

"So, what is going on between you and your taicho?" Hikari turned to me with a devious smile, the atmosphere suddenly feeler light. "Absolutely nothing!" I looked at her in horror. She gave me an all too knowing look. I sighed. "Was I that obvious?"

"I could communicate with his zanpakutou, you know."

"Don't you dare!" Hikari drew heart shaped patterns in the air as she skipped in front of me. "You don't usually mess with my personal affairs!"

"Oh, but I do!" Her expression made me wish for ignorance. "I love meddling with affairs that are none of my concern and I'm not sorry for it."

"You little….Come back here this instant!"

Byakuya
Cherry blossoms always seem to calm me down. I took a deep breath as I passed the koi pond. Rukia would usually accompany me on my evening walks, but she was absent tonight. I was glad for that; she kept pestering me with questions about Skye these days.

It wasn't something I'd like to share with others. After all, I had not completely accepted everything myself. Hisana should be the one occupying my mind. This was outright ridiculous. There should never be anyone else at all, to begin with. I wonder how Hisana would react should she know of my straying heart.

"You think too much."

" Senbonzakura." I acknowledged. "Why are you here?"

"You think too much. Let your feelings override with your reasonings and you'll be fine."

"Are you attempting to give me advice?"

"You'll thank me later, Byakuya." My zanpakutou sensed my reluctance. "I could talk to her zanpakutou, you know."

I frowned at the prospect of my zanpakutou having an arcane conversation with her zanpakutou. "You know better than to do that, Senbonzakura. It does not benefit you so."

He chuckled. "Perhaps not in your eyes. Hotaru no hikari is a sight to behold, young Kuchiki."

Before I could reply, I was pulled back to reality by Rukia. "Ni sama, tadaima!" She bounced happily to my side. "I hope you don't mind, I brought Skye chan for dinner!"

My heart beats faster at the knowledge of Skye being in my manor.

"She is in the waiting room. I told her that you will be escorting her, ni sama." Sensing my disapproval, she quickly added, "Unless you don't want to."

"No, I'll go. You should change into something more appropriate for dinner."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The room was decorated with scented candles and white flowers. The elaborated designs of the wallpaper further accentuate the air of elegance. The waiting room is perhaps one of the most prominently decorated room in the Kuchiki manor, but none of these matters right now. She was looking at a pot of lilies in the corner of the room. Her eyebrows were scrunched together and she was biting her lips in the most innocently seductive way. "Good evening, Taicho."

I watched as her lips moved and pronounced every single syllable. It should be a sin for any being to be so beautiful. "Come on, Rukia would join us shortly." I replied automatically.

We walked down the corridor in an awkward silence. She was fiddling with her fingers, a sign of nervousness. "What are we having for dinner?"

"I believe you will get your answer soon enough, unless there are certain food that you do not consume?"

"Oh no, of course not! I'm not picky at all!"

"That is good to hear."

Rukia was already there by the time we walked in. I sat at the end of the table with Rukia and Skye beside me. I glanced at Skye. She looked more comfortable with Rukia and they engaged in a small conversation. After a while, Rukia glanced at me and asked, "Ni sama, how about inviting Skye to our annual dinner?"

"What the hell…I mean what is that?" Skye looked at both of us, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Nothing of importance." I said nonchalantly and brushed the topic away. I felt a pang of regret as she continued eating with an air of disappointment.

I finished the meal earlier than them, and left the room first. Soon after I arrived at the cherry blossom trees, I felt another reiatsu approaching. Skye smiled as she rested her shoulders against the tree. "This place feels like heaven."

I closed my eyes as inhaled the faint smell of cherry blossoms. "Indeed."

"Will you call this garden your sanctuary?"

I looked at her, surprised that she was asking me this question. "I would. Cherry blossoms never fail to calm me down."

"So that's why you planted so many of them in the 6th division." I gazed at her intentionally as a smile tugged her lips. "What made you decide to come over today?"

Her eyes widened at my sudden question. "Oh. I wanted to talk to you…about yesterday night."

"What is there to talk about?" My eyes traced down her cheeks to her lips and down her slender body, wondering what lies beneath those layers of hakuma. She shifted her stance, and I looked up again. "It didn't change anything, did it?"

"Do you wish for things to change?" I approached her stealthily, my eyes penetrating her almost uncomfortable gaze. "Do you want me to pretend that I heard nothing, that I knew nothing about you?" My pulse quicken at our close proximity. She pursed her lips and tried to back away from my intimidating stance, but her back hit the tree. I watched her cursing silently at her luck and fumbling over a reply, all the while taking in her appearance ardently. I placed my arms beside her head and leaned in. "Do you still love that guy who broke your heart?" She shivered at my whisper, much to my delight. "I…I loved him."

Not satisfied with her answer, I leaned in a little more. "Do you love him?"

"I told you…"

"Yes or no, Skye," I growled. I was intoxicated by her smell, and wondered briefly if every part of her body smelt like that.

"No." She replied shakily. I smirked as I traced my nose against her cheek, feeling her sharp inhale. "Say that again." I commanded. I was losing control, and talking was the only way for me to convince myself not to jump on her. But all my reasoning was gone when the tip of her fingers touched my cheek, gently pushing my face up to look at her. I had to muster all my strength from pushing myself against her body as I felt her hefty fingers leave a hot trail down my cheek. Her large brown eyes mirrored mine as she said those words that I really wanted to hear. "No. I don't love him."

Something within me stirred. Unable to control myself any longer, I pressed my lips to hers, my hand gently coaxing her to respond. Our kiss was soft at first, but when I felt no resistance from her, I begun to be more demanding. As though understanding my intentions, Skye opened her mouth voluntarily and made no objections when I tasted her. I felt myself pulling her closer by the waist, not having enough of her. Slowly, she became more daring and met my tongue with her own, deepening the kiss. Unfortunately, reality had to march in and she pulled away from me, her face red due to the lack of air. It gave me a short moment to think, and all I could think about was how good the kiss was. She leaned in again and gave me a small peck on the lips. Feeling insatiated, I pulled her in and gave her another open mouthed kiss. It felt as though time stopped for the two of us, and nothing mattered at that moment. The Kuchiki name, Seireitei, Aizen, Hisana…I felt alive. Our kiss lasted for seconds, maybe a few minutes, but it felt like eternity.

When we finally pulled away again, Skye was blushing and lowered her head, unable to look at me. I gently brushed her fringe away from her eyes while I grabbed her hand which was on my chest. I have so many things to say to her, but I could not find the right words to express them. Finally, after our breathing slowed down, I stepped away from her with much difficulty and asked, "What are you thinking?"

She looked as fazed as I was about what just transpired. "I don't know."

It was not the answer I was expecting, so I continued asking. "Do you regret it?"

"Do you?"

"I don't know either." I sighed, waiting for her response exasperatedly.

Her eyes were directed at the koi fish, scrutinising it. When I was almost sure that she would not talk any more, she said, with much difficulty, "I'm affected."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm affected by the…the kiss." She answered matter-of-factly. "I don't understand. Why is it…why do I feel like…like this….oh god….what the hell is wrong with me?" Skye looked at me hysterically as though I have the answers to which she seek.

I placed a hand on her arm and slowly rubbed circles with my thumb. It worked at calming her down. "You need to stop thinking too much."

"I know." She replied warily. "I think I should head home now."

I nodded, understanding that she need time to control her overwhelming emotions. Reluctantly, I released her and bid her good night. "See you tomorrow, Taicho."

It was her last word, Taicho, which returned me to my senses.

Aizen

I smirked at the fallen espada from my throne. Serve it right.

"This is a lesson, my dear comrades. Those who decide against my better judgement shall grant me no choice but to punish them." I watched as the fallen espada disintegrated into nothingness. Snapping my fingers, I stood up and commanded. "Now, my fellow friends, we need to get to work quickly. Ulquiorra, would you kindly go fetch Inoue Orihime here? And Nnoitra, why don't you prepare a room for our beloved guest? Afterall, we wouldn't want any complains about our hospitality, would we?"

A few snickers could be heard. Leaving the rest to Gin and Kaname, I left the throne room. Things were going as planned. That old bastard wouldn't know what hit them until the walls of Seireitei came crashing down. Kurosaki Ichigo only served to fuel my passion. This war is going to be much more interesting with you around. Not forgetting the wielder of light, Minori Skye. That girl is enigmatic, I mused. I slowly sipped the green tea as I begin adding this new member into my plan.

Skye

I was stumped. Overwhelmed. Flabbergasted. Everything was screaming at me to run. To run away from this awkward situation. And so I did. Only when I reached the safety havens of my room did I begin to calm down. It started out as a beautiful night. The dinner was scrumptious, the place resonated regality, the gardens glowed under the night sky…yet all these paled in comparison to the kiss. I touched my lips. It was the most amazing thing that occurred in centuries. As much as I enjoyed the moment, there was no denying that it was wrong. It was all but a mistake. Love. I do not know if I am capable of that any longer.

"I should sleep." I spoke affirmatively to no one in particular. I slowly sank into the mattress, relishing in its softness.

"Oh my darling, oh my darling,

My darling Clementine,

You are lost and gone forever,

Dreadful sorry, Clementine."

It was the first time in years that I sang myself to sleep.

That's all, lovelies! I would explain in the next chapter why Skye felt that the kiss was a mistake.

Please take a minute to review, it would certainly make my day(: If you think that there should be more romance and heated scenes or what not, please feel free to tell me!