Hey there, it's me once again with an update. This is a pretty plain chapter this time, but all the same, very much needed. :) I hope you enjoy the Byakuya-Rukia interactions anyway, and of the other characters. :) Happy reading!
Oh, and thank you so much to those who reviewed the past chapter, they motivated me so to write a little of Demons at a time. :) Thank you to Sakimi1014, obsessed dreamer, Fumi Raisin, aShiZeRU, su kuchiki, Chocolate Thunder, isara-love, Crystal-Clear Hope, aririn, Voidy, Omili, The13thConspiracy, aaa, seras3791, mandapanda13, naru894, ByaRukifan, 1SuperKawaii, , vicky73, compa16, tokiko76, victorlim321, RunSakura, Nica, Pope Benedict XVI, cinecaption, cintiasnakeblack, Kichou, alinda arch, DRUON, BlackBurningHeart, silverqueen, LiluFaery87, loveyouso, L, Kannabisu, onlyluna, Sepsis and SunRises. :) Thank you so much, all of you. :D Chapter goes out to all of you... and onlyluna for correcting the embarrassing spelling mistake for the last chapter. XD
And here is, Chapter 12. Hope you enjoy.
A single figure walked along the quiet streets, the night wind sweeping up the dirt from the ground. The streetlights were dimmed, their sides coated with city dirt and grim that had been left for the unpleasant sight of any passerby. The small town was desolated but it apparently did not affect the one person, who was now walking swiftly to one of the small houses on the left side of the street.
A pale hand lifted on the dull wood and three slow knocks were heard, followed by two fast ones. Code-like.
The door slid open and the figure entered easily, without any hesitance or fear. The door closed behind the new guest.
There was only silence in the darkness. And then, a calm male voice spoke.
"No findings, I take it?"
A single screen lit up in the dusty place, the bright light faintly illuminating the outlines of a dilapidated living room with overturned furniture. The glare was dim from the computer screen, not even adequate to throw the two figures who stood in darkness into the light.
Pale fingers began to dance across the keyboard.
Pardon me that I cannot speak. It is better that I do not use my voice in this meeting, in case there are… spies.
"That is ironic, coming from yourself," the calm voice spoke again. "But just as well. Are there any new interesting findings?"
I could only gather limited information in these six months. Pardon my clumsiness.
The voice laughed softly. "No, it is not a matter of your clumsiness. They are a close-knitted and powerful entity. Like a concrete wall, which gives no way even to water. It is what lends them the centuries of power and name as the strongest demon clan on Earth."
The other figure stayed silent.
The one who spoke moved slightly and turned away from the computer. "The Kuchiki family is not to be seen as trivial." He stopped for a bit as he touched his own arm slightly. "They were never trivial to begin with."
The other figure absorbed the words, quiet like a ghost.
"But… like everything created, there is a weakness that must lie hidden somewhere. I believe we can find it in time."
The keyboard clicked as the fingers danced once more.
I will try harder.
"No." The calm voice spoke. "What you are doing is just perfect. Do not slow, but do not speed up, lest they find out. It took a Roman general decades to build an empire, but only a mere three days to lose all of it in a blink of an eye. Do not be hasty, we have time to spare."
xXxXx
"Hey, no offence but you seem a lot weaker than our last training, Byakuya!" Renji spoke as he got up from the messy heap he was on the white smooth floor seconds before. "The last time you had a hold on me, you threw me right through those expensive blinds into the wall. I swore my spine cracked then."
Byakuya walked over to the refreshment table and picked up his white towel, saying nothing. Renji trotted after his young superior, and picked up his own towel. The two Incubi were having their weekly physical combat training, and Renji was surprised at the lack of cracked bones and blood (on his side, anyway). Sure, there were the usual serious bruises and sore patches he now had to deal with (and an excuse to visit the sexy clan doctor, Unohana Retsu), but he was surprised Byakuya had gone easy on him. But had he, really?
"You haven't been feeding well, have you?" Renji looked at Byakuya enquiringly.
"That is none of your business, Renji."
"You know, you haven't joined us in weeks!" Renji grinned at Byakuya. "Or has it been a month or so? Madam Aiko doesn't show it but she must be wondering if her services are beginning to slide in your favour. After all, that place was your favourite haunt."
"I have been busy." Byakuya tossed the towel easily onto the table and picked up the clear jug of water.
Renji waved his hand dismissively. "Meh, there's always time. Especially when it is…" He grinned devilishly. "… that important. So what about it? Fancy some bondage trip tonight to rejuvenate yourself?"
Byakuya gave his subordinate a cold disdainful look as he poured himself some water from the jug.
But the young Kuchiki found himself deep in thought. It was true, he hadn't fed in, what, weeks? Months? The last time he went on a "diet" like this, he was lethargic and practically staring down every female who walked across his path, resisting himself from jumping them and sucking them full off their life force. However, it was drastically different now. He wasn't really tired but he certainly was hungry. Byakuya had had to buy an obscene amount of animal meat (thankfully, he had instructed one of his demon assistants to make the order) to consume. Material food could not sustain him as well as human energy did, though they kept him up and going. And to be honest, after all the centuries of fine dining, the taste of cold bloodied raw meat wasn't nearly as delicious anymore.
But what was different this time, he did not spare any woman a single glance. Save but one.
He was practically hungering… for Rukia. Byakuya wasn't going to lie, his body was screaming out to touch hers, to engage her in so many hot and sweaty scenarios. To feel her delightful bare skin sliding against his, to taste her delicious human life force on his tongue. To feel her move below him in an erotic dance of their own, hear her call out his name again and again. He had lost count of the times when he woke up from delicious fantasies in the night, of him and Rukia acting out intense passion.
He didn't know why. She was so young, and so inexperienced. She was a mortal. He had already taken her virginity.
And yet… he still wanted her so much.
He wanted to see her with her arms around him when he woke up in the morning. He wanted to see her sleep peacefully in his bed, as he got ready for work. He wanted to go out with her, get to know everything about her, spend his time with her.
Byakuya silently poured himself another glass of water, his expression unperturbed despite the intense emotions stirring within him. He gulped the cold water down, trying in vain to swallow his growing desire along with it.
xXxXx
Rukia smiled happily as she dusted about her room. "You know, if you keep watching me, I'm going to get self-conscious," she laughed.
"As if." The blue-green-haired girl with hazel eyes snorted, as she sat on the chair. "So what's new?"
"Other than my dorm mate calling me up at the crack of dawn to come clean the dorm together? Nothing much," Rukia laughed.
Nel laughed together. "Well, it is starting to resemble a pigsty." She held up her hands. "And I know, it's all my fault. After all, you haven't been here in ages."
Rukia straightened the books and files on her study table. "Yep, and I completely missed the movie outing that you and Grimmjow apparently went out on, without anybody else tagging along."
Nel's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know about that?"
Rukia chuckled and raised both her hands to her head, index fingers straight out like makeshift antennas. "I'm tuned in to your satellite."
Nel threw a couch pillow at Rukia.
Rukia deftly caught it and walked over to Nel. "So what's the deal with Grimmjow?" she smiled.
"Nothing. He just said he wanted to catch the latest movie playing in the cinemas, and asked me if I had anything better to do that night."
Rukia burst out laughing. "That's just too Grimmjow-style, asking you out like that!"
The faint hints of pink appeared on Nel's cheeks. "It wasn't a date." She looked away.
"Yes, it was." Rukia poked Nel slightly, before putting on a mock gruff voice. "So Nel, you have anything better to do than go out with me tonight?"
Both housemates laughed loudly in their dorm.
"Do you like him?" Rukia smiled as she sat on her bed, facing Nel.
"I… he's really fun and nice to be with, when he's not being an ass."
Rukia laughed. "So you do like him."
Nel played with the ends of her blouse. "I don't know." She jumped as she heard the telephone in her room beep. "Be right back!"
"Okay. And I'm not done with you!" Rukia smiled and turned back to her desk. She heard Nel hurry into her own room and close the door. Chuckling, Rukia continued cleaning up her desk, and moved the stack of papers on top of the file. And that was when she saw it.
The white box with the blue ribbon.
Her violet eyes wide, Rukia hurriedly opened it.
Oh no.
She stared at the dried flower nestled amongst the tissue paper. The blue peony Byakuya had gotten for her. That day, she had returned to the dorm to grab some books and chucked the box here because she was really flustered and nervous. She had forgotten about it and hadn't come back to put the flower in some water.
She touched the dried flower with her fingers. It had withered now, which means it really had been... real. Even though the flower was already dead, it still looked beautiful with hints of purplish shades on the petals.
What would you be willing to give me in return, for what I can show you?
That easy smile curving the corners of his perfect lips, adding an effortless sexy charm to his already handsome features.
I'm officially wooing you from today onwards.
His misty grey eyes, so mysterious and hauntingly beautiful.
Because I felt something I had never felt before in my life… until that night.
His strong arms around her, as they moved slowly to the fine music.
Did you feel it too?
Rukia stared at the flower silently for a while. Then she slowly lifted the box and tucked it into her bag, to take home with her.
xXxXx
Renji huffed slightly as he lugged the enormous box through the hall. Leave it to Byakuya to let him do the rough menial work again. And he was supposed to be one of Byakuya's important right-hand men!
"My, my, Abarai. Need help there?" Renji stopped at the soft male voice. He looked angrily to the right.
Renji had never liked this guy. This demon had long been a part of their clan but how he got into their ranks, Renji never knew. He never liked those unseen eyes narrowed down to slits all the time, that thin skeletal frame, nor the strange silver hair. But what he hated most was that wide, mocking smile. It appeared friendly to a lot of the other demons but for Renji, it was a sinister gesture. This fellow demon was dangerous, walking around him was like treading in a landmine.
"Ichimaru." He nodded, and already knew it was more of a mocking question than an offer. "I can handle this myself."
"I can see that," Ichimaru Gin spoke, his usual smile wide upon his lips. Abarai felt his anger bubble at the sarcasm of the statement, his hands clenched onto the box. Gin cocked his head to one side, apparently looking at the box. "So what is that?"
"It is none of your business," Renji huffed and walked off. He could feel Gin's stare on him all the way down the hall, and walked a little faster.
"Abarai-kun!"
"Ohhhh!" Renji immediately halted in his steps, to avoid banging into the petite woman who just stepped into his path. "Hinamori!"
Hinamori Momo smiled up at the tall Incubus. Her long hair was neatly tied up in a bun at the back of her head and she was dressed in formal office attire. "Just letting you know that Kira-kun, Rangiku-san and myself am going for drinks later after office hours. Will you coming?"
"Yeah sure." Renji smiled. Momo was the innocence of their pack, Renji doubted she ever got used to the sexual aspects surrounding the life of a Succubus. "Does Matsumoto have to come along?" he asked a little too grumpily.
"Abarai-kun, that's not very nice. 6.p.m okay?"
"Okay. I will ask Byakuya if he wants in as well."
Renji continued on his way as Hinamori ran off. Reaching Byakuya's office, he parted the huge oaken doors with one side of his shoulder and easily entered the office. He dumped the enormous box down on the floor beside Byakuya's office table. Renji could see that Byakuya was in the bathroom, the paneled door leading to the luxurious washroom was closed. Renji wiped the sweat off his brow and took a seat behind the executive's table.
His eyes immediately flew to the one thing sitting on top of Byakuya's desk next to his MacBook laptop. Byakuya's Armani wallet.
Renji grinned excitedly. That thing was too tempting, like a fish laid out on a silver platter for the cat. He had always been playful, ever since his younger days. Renji was one of the Incubus who was frequently punished for playful behaviour, sometimes bordering on inappropriate and rude intrusions. And this time was going to be no exception.
xXxXx
Byakuya exited the bathroom silently as he closed the door behind him. He could see Renji already sitting at his desk, the red hair almost a painful glare in the office suite.
Byakuya's grey eyes narrowed as he continued watching Renji.
Something was wrong.
xXxXx
Renji's wide eyes stared down at the picture, before it was swiped cleanly out of his hand. He turned around indignantly. "Hey hey hey!"
Immediately, he cowered under Byakuya's cold stare, before the young executive moved to his seat at the office desk. "You know, Renji, sometimes I don't know if you are four hundred years old or a four year old."
"Hey, four-year-olds don't know how to look through wallets." Renji flinched again under Byakuya's deadly grey eyes. "Sorry," he muttered. Byakuya sighed and went back to his laptop.
"Who's that girl anyway?" Renji smiled devilishly at his boss. "Seems like a middle-schooler. You into lolicon now?"
Byakuya kept silent as he typed away at his laptop.
Renji leaned forward. "Tell me who's that."
"Is your business not exciting enough to want to mind others now, Renji?"
Renji laughed. "Not always. But then again, it's not often that I see you carrying a picture of a girl in your wallet."
Byakuya cast him a disdainful look as his agile fingers played across the laptop keyboard.
Renji sat back. "Fine. If you're not telling me, I'm asking Matsumoto." He dragged out the words, letting them sink in slowly. "And you know if she catches even a whiff of this, everyone will-
"She is just a girl."
Renji smiled evilly, triumphant. Of course Byakuya would not want him to go to Matsumoto. Matsumoto's gossip-queen reputation came in handy at times like this, she had the much-feared gossip mouth to match the size of her bosom. "That much I figured out. No wonder you don't come to Madam Aiko's anymore! Who is she?"
"A student, a university student."
Renji's eyes were practically popping out of his head. "Really? Where did you meet her?"
"I prefer not to answer that."
Renji laughed. "Okay. So, what's she good at?"He wiggled his extravagant eyebrows.
Byakuya deliberated a little. "Research… and cooking."
Renji snorted. "I'm not asking about that sort of good! You know, she must have attracted you by something… and I know you only love women for one reason! So… what's she good at?"
Byakuya looked up, as something unreadable passed through his grey eyes. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
xXxXx
Rukia packed the two completed bouquets of flower into the delivery basket for the next day. She rearranged the lilies in their pots and then picked up the rag cloth to wipe the counter clean. Her eyes moved to her mobile phone on the table, where the adorable tiny rabbit accessory dangled from it. Rukia bit her lip. Why was she feeling so restless?
The last two day had been pretty peaceful. She went about her class, went out with her friends to all the usual hangout places, cooked dinner and spent time with Otousan. She went out grocery-shopping with Hanataro and accompanied her girlfriends out for dress purchases. Yes, it had definitely been two very good, fun days. But somehow, Rukia felt as if something was missing from it all. And…
She stared again at her mobile.
'No, you are just waiting for Nel to give you a prank call. Or Shinji, asking you to go out for a drink with the gang. Maybe even Ichigo...'
Rukia nodded as she wiped the counter harder. 'Yes, that had to be it.'
But where was he? She hadn't heard from him in the last two days... ever since they had gone out to dinner. Maybe he thought she was boring, that she tarnished his image that day in the restaurant. After all, she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt! Rukia felt her heart sink just slightly. Maybe he thought she was really narrow-minded, having never danced or drank alcohol before. Maybe-
Rukia shook her head furiously. Why was she thinking about Byakuya now?
She finished wiping the counter and threw the cloth into the sink, feeling slightly shaken. Was she actually waiting for a phone call from him?
No no no. You are just over-analyzing things.
She moved to the sink and rinsed out the cloth.
Ding.
Rukia's eyes widened and she immediately abandoned the cloth, wiping her hands on her apron. She hurriedly picked up her mobile phone and opened the message inbox.
Does absence make the heart grow fonder? -Byakuya-
Rukia's eyes widened as she look at the words. She could not deny the warm feeling that surged in her heart as she saw the sender's name.
Suddenly, her phone beeped again, signalling the arrival of yet another text message.
I was busy with work the last few days so I could not call. I think we should do something nice this Saturday. I will ask Otousan about it tomorrow. I miss you. -Byakuya-
Rukia stared at the message. She slapped her face slightly. She should wake up, she shouldn't get carried away with this fairy-tale like phenomenon. Rukia knew she had always been a dreamer, and the ability of this mysterious man to affect her this easily was proof.
Rukia took up her mobile phone and keyed in the words with heavy fingers.
No, I am busy. You do your work. Don't disturb Otousan.
She jumped as the ring tone of her mobile phone came on. Rukia stared at the name on it.
Byakuya.
No. This won't do any good. It wasn't good… for him or her. The dinner at the restaurant proved it, where she could match up to nothing of his. He was used to doing things she never did, used to going to places she would never ever go to. Why? Why was he doing this to her? Why was he forcing their company together? Was he faking it, or did he truly liked spending his time with her? How could he anyway, when she was nothing like his perfect luxurious world?
It didn't matter that she got lost that night in his strong arms, didn't matter that her pathetic heart pounded so fast as they danced together on the balcony. It didn't matter that she had moved closer to him, that she in a way gave herself over... that they had almost kissed that night.
This would never do any good.
Before she could change her traitorous mind, Rukia turned off her phone and closed down the flower shop.
xXxXx
Byakuya chuckled as he listened to the dead tone of Rukia's mobile phone.
Why do you fight so much, Rukia?
"Hey, what's so funny?"
Byakuya turned to his right to look at Renji seriously. "Must you know everything?"
Renji grinned. "No. What I learned today was enough." He winked at Byakuya, who said nothing and turned back to his mobile. They were sitting in Byakuya's limousine as the car sped through the highway.
In exchange for Renji not blabbing on Rukia's picture in his wallet, Byakuya had had to accompany him out for drinks. Renji seemed to think Byakuya needed air out in the open, Byakuya secretly thought Renji needed to get air out of his head.
"So, when are you going steady?"
Byakuya looked up at Renji's voice. "I beg your pardon?"
"You know, you can't keep sexing women and… schoolgirls." Renji winked. "Come on, you are Kuchiki Byakuya, the great executive of the international Azaris hotel name… and leader of our clan! You are going to need a real partner someday."
Byakuya continued looking at Renji, his face expressionless.
"Maybe you should start going out with some of our own, you know. I heard the ice queen Soifon is pretty desirable. Meet more females, and maybe you are going to spark it off right!"
Byakuya kept silent.
"And then you're gonna marry a hot Succubus… and have lots of hot sex all night long!"
As the conversation went on, the car took a turn down one of the smaller streets. The wide expanse of a cemetery passed by the limousine windows.
"So you will be forever with her." Renji nodded as he looked outside. "Not like mortals… they eventually end up like this… rotting in the ground." The Incubus gestured to the grim landscape passing outside their can window.
Byakuya's jaw suddenly clenched. "Stop."
Renji turned to him in surprise. "W-What?"
"Stop the car."
Renji looked at Byakuya worriedly, before signalling to the chauffeur. "Er, stop the car… H-Hey! Where you going, Byakuya? Hey!"
As soon as the car had stopped, Byakuya had opened the car door and stepped out onto the road. He immediately took a line down to the wooded park next to the cemetery. He walked very fast and as he reached the border of the woods, Byakuya took an impossibly high leap into the trees.
Renji could do nothing as he helplessly watched the young executive disappear into the woods.
xXxXx
Ukitake smiled as he turned off the light in the kitchen. The dishes were long done and Rukia had retired to her bedroom. He smiled again as he headed off to the living room to catch the night news. It was going to be a cold night, Rukia better have her covers out. Maybe he should go upstairs to check on her just to see-
Ukitake looked up in surprise as he heard the doorbell over the shop.
A visitor? At this time of night?
He made his way out to the front. Ukitake's eyes widened as he approached the glass door. He unlocked the door.
"Byakuya-san?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Otousan." Byakuya bowed as he stood out on the pavement. "I wonder… if I could take Rukia out?"
"N-Now, Byakuya-san?"
"Now." Byakuya nodded, his grey eyes steadfast. "I am terribly sorry for being so rude a second time round. I did not count on this and I know it is rather late, but I promise to send her back to the doorstep safe. I just… wanted to see her."
Ukitake looked at Byakuya for a while, deliberating. Finally, he smiled. "I will call her down and you can talk to her. Do what you both want."
xXxXx
"B-Byakuya!"
Rukia's eyes were wide in shock as she stood at the front door. Ukitake had called his daughter down before disappearing into the house.
Byakuya stood out, his breath rising in the cold wind. "Rukia." His grey eyes softened slightly as he saw her.
"Come in the shop!" Rukia nervously looked at him as she stepped back a little. "It's cold outside."
Byakuya silently stepped in through the glass door.
Rukia raised her eyes to Byakuya uncertainly. She had been so puzzled when her father had called her down and told her Byakuya was waiting out front at the door. Was he here to confront her because she had not answered his phone call? "What-
"Let's go out for dinner."
Rukia's eyes widened. "It's eight, Byakuya. I already had dinner."
She watched as something passed through his eyes. Then he spoke quietly, "If you could provide some company then? I haven't had dinner and I promise I will eat quick."
Rukia looked up at him. Byakuya looked so different this time, he wasn't smiling. She felt her heart sink. Was he upset? Angry? Was he angry at her? After all, he had taken her out for dinner at a ridiculously overpriced restaurant a few days ago only to have her reject his calls.
The best thing would be to reject him again, so he would leave and never come back. She looked up at Byakuya again. He was expressionless as always, but his eyes… they were different this time. Rukia did not know why.
But against her reasoning, her heart truly wanted to know.
"I… Okay."
"Arigato."
It was strange, they had never found themselves like this. A simple question of concern, to know what was wrong. She wanted to know what was wrong with Byakuya, and why he seemed so different. Was something bothering him? Was it her fault? Or was it something else?
Byakuya just stayed silent.
Rukia nodded. "I will get my jacket."
xXxXx
"Sorry for making you wait for five minutes. I had to change." Rukia zipped her white jacket up as she stepped out of her house, holding a black umbrella. "It's been rather cold these few days. And it looks like it might start raining."
"That is fine. Are you warm enough?" Byakuya started to shrug out of his office coat but Rukia stopped him.
"I'm alright. This jacket's pretty good."
He didn't seemed to be angry at her. But Rukia felt she had to say something. "I..."
Byakuya looked at her and Rukia felt the usual red start to tint her cheeks. "I... apologize for rejecting your call this afternoon. It was... rather rude of me, I hope you weren't upset by it."
God, this was horrible. It was awkward, like the time she was apologizing to Otousan when she accidentally broke his prized bonsai plant vase the first month of her stay in his house so many years ago.
Rukia took a deep breath. "I am really sorry. I..." This... is no good, Byakuya.
"You think we are no good, don't you?"
Rukia's violet eyes widened at the impossible man who had just plucked those words right from her thoughts. "I..."
Byakuya smiled at her. "That is fine. You may rarely be proven wrong, but I have never been proven wrong." He lifted his hand and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Rukia's cheek. "And I know we are meant for each other." He drew his hand back and smiled again. "But no, I wasn't upset because of the phone call. It was on the spur of the moment, I just wanted to spend some time with you." He watched as the pretty blush coloured Rukia's cheeks.
"I... So it's something else that's upsetting you then."
Byakuya's eyes widened slightly at Rukia's statement. She can tell just by looking... that I am affected by something?
Byakuya felt like laughing. Rukia, we really are meant for each other.
He had been affected by Renji's words back in the car, true. And so he had come to Rukia's place just to see her, because Byakuya knew the mere sight of her would drive all those horrible bad things away. He was right, the burden was already lessening in his heart... she could make him smile, make him laugh, make him feel that everything was worthwhile.
It was so strange that someone could ever make him feel this way.
"So, let's go." Rukia nodded.
Byakuya gestured to the black umbrella in Rukia's hand. "But there's no need for the umbrella. I will drive to the dinner place."
"No." Rukia suddenly smiled.
"No?" Byakuya looked at her, his eyes betraying his curiosity.
"No," Rukia emphasized again as she stepped out onto the pavement and locked the front door of the flower shop. "Let's go, I hope they don't have a line."
Byakuya dutifully fell into step beside her.
xXxXx
"Where are we going?" This time it was Byakuya's turn to ask. They had just turned left from Rukia's house and walked a few meters. Rukia, however, did not answer him. She was busy struggling with something in her coat pocket as she walked next to him.
Byakuya turned to look at her as she successfully wrenched something free from her pocket. He immediately saw the pair of white fluffy gloves, shaped like bunnies with ears. He could not stop the smile from curling the corners of his lips as he watched Rukia put them on.
Rukia looked up at him and saw him smiling. "What? These are my winter gloves... but it's been pretty cold lately so I decided to use them today."
"You like rabbits?"
Rukia nodded enthusiastically at his question. "They are my favourite in the whole wide world!" She clapped her fluffy padded hands together happily. "All good! And now…" She dug into her left coat pocket. "Here!" Rukia turned to look at Byakuya, unable to stop herself from grinning as she produced a pair of brown gloves. "I stole them from Otousan just now."
She stared at Byakuya, who was staring back at her. Rukia blushed as her smile faltered slightly. "I mean, they are to protect your hands from the cold..." She looked down, his gaze was focused on her. "But it's fine if you don't want them. They are sort of old and ugly anyway…" She laughed. "… and they might smell bad-
Rukia's violet eyes widened. Byakuya had held out his pale hand to her.
"Can you put them on for me? I'm holding the umbrella."
It was a horrible excuse, he had the umbrella at his side, right under his left arm. He could have easily put the gloves on himself. Rukia looked up at him with wide eyes but he did not look away. And then, she stepped forward, tentatively closer to him.
Byakuya watched as she took one of his hand up with her glove-covered one and pulled the brown glove on for him. After she was done with the first one, she wore the other glove on for him. He did not take his eyes off her once, as they stood under the light from a nearby streetlamp.
"There." Rukia smiled as she checked the gloves, before looking up at Byakuya. He was gazing at her intently. Immediately, she lowered her eyes, feeling self-conscious once more. What am I doing?
"Arigato, Rukia. They are very warm."
Rukia only nodded, her cheeks pink. They resumed walking together down the street.
"Rukia?" She looked up quickly when she heard his voice.
"Ah?"
"Can I hold your hand?" Byakuya's question set her heart racing. "That is, if you don't mind. I promise I won't try anything."
"I…" What was this? Why did he ask for such a thing all of a sudden? "Okay." She lifted her hand awkwardly, half-offering it him.
Byakuya took her hand as they walked through the street. Rukia looked at him, the worry in her heart growing. This was different, he wouldn't usually ask for permission to do things like this. He was probably tired from work, or maybe something more serious had happened? Rukia did not know, but she found her concern growing in spite of herself.
"Byakuya, is there something wrong?"
"Nothing," he spoke in his emotionless deep voice, but she noticed that his hand tightened on hers.
"I know there is something wrong. I…" Rukia deliberated as they walked. She was worried, so much so that she wasn't even feeling awkward that they were walking hand-in-hand. "… I know I don't really know much about you to be considered worthy as a confidante…" Rukia blushed but her voice was firm. "… but I listen well."
"Well... somebody told me something, something I'd never ever want to become reality. It upset me just a little," Byakuya spoke simply as he continued walking with Rukia next to him. "But do not worry, I will be fine in a few minutes." He looked down and gave her a smile.
"Something you don't want to come true?" Rukia pondered seriously. "Just fight it then, if it's really important." She nodded at her own words.
"It is. More important than my own life. I don't know what would happen to me if I... lost it," Byakuya spoke, and Rukia felt his hand tighten even more on hers. She looked at him as he continued talking, "I already fought from the start, and will fight till the end."
"That's the spirit!" Rukia said happily and without thinking, she gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. Her violet eyes widened as did his grey ones at the unexpected gesture of affection.
"I…" Embarrassed, Rukia reflexively moved her hand away from Byakuya's. He did not resist, letting her hand go but he continued smiling at her.
"Arigato, Rukia."
Rukia's cheeks grew red. To shake off the discomfort, she spoke loudly, "I know... it's probably work problems, right? So I will treat you to dinner today!"
"Where are we going again, Rukia?"
Rukia smiled. "Have you ever eaten Nabe?"
"Nabe?"
Rukia nodded. "Welcome to my world."
And there you have it, a simple but sweet chapter. A little more introduction to the potential characters in the story (and the little GrimmNel content was for a little fluffy addition). Poor Byakuya was getting a little rattled with a hyperactive Renji (lol XD) and so turns up at Rukia's doorstep for her precious company. And now they are off on their second "date" as it is. :) And as you can see, Rukia is slowly starting to let loose with him, and feel a little less awkward though our girl is still somewhat shy. I tried to make it not rushed... because it would take time for her to open up to him but I didn't want any chapters in the middle for the two days that they did not see each other. So I decided to have a part of the beginning of their second "outing" at the end of this chapter. And for the next chapter, we can just immediately jump into some nice ByaRuki dinnertime. :D
And now... it is Rukia's turn to show him her usual dinner-style... as he did in the previous chapter. :D
This chapter also allows introduction of several characters in the demon clan... namely, Gin, Hinamori, Kira and an "unknown" persona. ;) The start of this chapter is just a little guessing spot for all of you... which will bear importance in the late chapters. :)
And finally, do review this chapter for me (comments, feedback etc), I'd really appreciate it and it helps motivate me to write! Thank you. :D
It's nice seeing you all after a few weeks... though life's still Hell at the moment. :(