Chapter 14 of Demons is here. :) This is a pretty short chapter and does not contain much progress ByaRuki love-wise but it is needed for more story development (after all, there are other stories surrounding our hero and heroine). I hope you all will look forward to the coming chapter when I write it out, because I promise some really nice ByaRuki together-ness. :D
Thank you to all those who reviewed the past chapter, they really motivated me in getting this out (however short it may be). Thank you so much again (and I'll surprise you all)! :)
The girl breathed fast, her heart thudding frantically.
Faster! Faster!
She rounded a dark corner, her sneakers grazing the asphalt in a desperate motion. Ordinarily, she was very scared of the dark. But this time… this time…
… her life depended on it.
A sob escaped her throat as the girl ran on. No, she shouldn't have accepted the invitation. She should have stayed with her boyfriend, even if he was thirty minutes late to take her out for the Friday night date. She shouldn't have been jealous. She shouldn't have left to accept the foreign invitation.
Another sob broke through the silence as she ran.
Because now she was running for her life. Running from whatever monstrosity it was that she had the biggest misfortune to ever encounter. The wind whipped her hair about her face, as fear clutched at her heart.
I want to go home…
She froze as she heard something sweep a long way off behind her. She quickened her pace, trying not to cry out loud. She had to make as little noise as possible, so she would not present an easy target.
Help… please... someone…
She rounded another corner and dashed down the alley. Why was it all corners, all like a maze? She couldn't get out, couldn't escape.
The girl caught sight of a thick pipe snaking its way up to the top of a building. It looped this way and that, right up to the rooftop of one of the houses. Hope filled her desperate, fearful heart. She hurriedly swung herself up onto the pipe and started to scale the structure. Maybe if she could make it to the top, she could see where she was.
She never did.
Because just then, something clawed her leg and she lost her footing, tumbling down to the hard road in a heap. She tried to get up on her feet but an iron grip fastened on her neck and pushed her hard into the wall of the building she was attempting to climb not a few seconds ago.
And she found herself looking into his eyes. She could do nothing as they moved closer.
She couldn't beg, she couldn't move. She could do nothing.
She knew even before she felt the terrifying pain on her shoulder, even before she felt her flesh tear away, even before she felt her own blood start to cascade down her body.
He was feasting on her. Alive.
Exactly as he said he would. At that time, it seemed like such a sexy suggestion but now it was all a horrible painted reality.
Her mouth opened in a terrifying scream, but it wasn't long before those very lips were torn from her face.
xXxXx
'What will you be doing tomorrow? Do you have classes on a Saturday? -Byakuya-
'No classes. I will be working in the flower shop.'
'Okay, Otousan has given me permission. I will come see you tomorrow after work and we will go out for something nice. I cannot wait.' -Byakuya-
Rukia was jolted from her phone when a high-pitched shout rang through the hall.
"Rukia, hurry up!"
"I'm coming!" Rukia laughed as she flipped her mobile phone shut and resumed trying to extract the entirety of books from her locker.
"You're not running away, are you?" Nel shouted back at the other end of the hallway. "It's Friday!"
"I'm not! I said I'd join you!"
"OKAY!" Nel smiled and laughed, before disappearing past the glass doors of the university.
Rukia chuckled and tried once again to move the pile of books out from her locker. Giving up, she decided to take them out two at a time. When she was about halfway through, a male voice interrupted her.
"You opening a bookstore or what?"
Rukia laughed slightly. "No, Ichigo."
Ichigo smiled and leaned onto one side of the locker, looking into the content of hers. Rukia reflexively shielded them from view. Ichigo laughed.
"What national secret are you having in there?"
Rukia smiled. "Nothing like a girl's locker." She juggled her books on her arm before turning to him slightly. "What's up?"
"Oh!" Ichigo put his hand to his hair, a gesture which made him look very absentminded… and a gesture Rukia had always loved. "I… See I was wondering if you wanted to go to a movie…"
"Oh." Rukia nodded, smiling. "Sure. When? And where do I meet you guys?"
"Er… I…" Ichigo looked down at his feet for a bit. Rukia stared at him curiously.
"Ichigo, you don't seem to be-
"RUKIA!"
Ichigo was shoved out of the way as Nel rushed forward. "Hurry, HURRY!" She began to pull out Rukia's books out of the locker in a haphazard way as Rukia laughed.
Rubbing his arm, Ichigo looked at Rukia. "Where are you two headed?"
"You're not allowed! Boys are not allowed!" Nel finished pulling out all the books and slammed the locker with a flourish. "We are going to a female spa!"
Ichigo looked at Rukia who smiled and nodded.
"So we'll see you later, Orange!" Nel pulled Rukia with her.
"Er, Ichigo, you were saying... the movie just now…"
Ichigo just smiled and shook his head as Nel dragged the raven-haired girl off.
xXxXx
"They are breaching the rules again."
Byakuya sat back in his executive seat as he stared at the conglomeration of demons before him. "There has been another attack in the south district. A plain open attack."
It was the final straw. There had been a string of gruesome murders in the city, conducted in a gory and random pattern that puzzled the local policemen. Byakuya knew what they were - feedings. A demon or two had been feeding openly on Kuchiki turf, and not just from spiritual force. They were out for meat and blood.
Byakuya had called a meeting to find a solution out of it. He didn't need any more attention drawn to the existence of beings that fed on humans, of his own kind. And if things kept up, the policemen would surely sanction certain areas off and it would hamper their movement and business potential. Also, Byakuya was making it a point to check on Rukia everyday until this matter was straightened out.
"It has to be them, that clan on the outskirts." An older demon spoke up.
"They are challenging us." Another loud-voiced demon pounded his hand on the table. "We have always kept the peace in our area and they come trampling all over it."
"I say we take them out." Renji nodded. "This can't go on, Byakuya."
Byakuya looked out over the demons calmly. "We do not even know who it is to be blamed for the deaths." He could see Unohana nodding in the midst of those present. She always like to avoid bloodbaths anyway.
"It has to be the Ootowari. They have always been that barbaric anyway." Another demon quipped up.
Byakuya stayed silent as his eyes swept the wide hall and its seated members silently. He took only three seconds before making the decision.
"So be it. We will make it midnight. In the meantime, do prepare yourselves according to standard battle plans."
xXxXx
"Didn't you say prepare yourselves? That's what we are doing!" Renji exclaimed.
Byakuya did not say anything but fixed him with a death glare.
"And anyway, Madam Aiko will be thrilled that you are coming over!"
Byakuya sighed and leaned back into the seat of the limousine. After the meeting was over, Renji had practically dragged his young superior out into the car. Then as they were on their way, the redhead outlined the erotic plans for the evening, before the midnight clash.
"I'm doing you a favour! You're going to need all the strength you can get! Human force, that is..." Renji winked. "And anticipating fights always make you horny, right? So we need to get all that tension out!"
Byakuya turned his head out of the side window and ignored his assistant.
xXxXx
"Byakuya-san!"
Byakuya walked slowly into the foyer and took in the familiar red-and-gold counter, the thick carpets, the sickeningly sweet perfume smell. It was all the same, this place. It was hard to believe he had spent a little over a few hundred years here, and bedded an infinite number of women.
Byakuya felt his stomach twist slightly at the thought but he suppressed the feeling. He nodded at Madam Aiko. "It's been a while."
"I have everything prepared for you, as requested."
Renji looked excitedly between Byakuya and Madam Aiko. "You made a reservation beforehand? You sly old dog!"
Byakuya ignored the comment. "I have my own plans. You can head to your own room, Renji."
The redhead didn't need telling twice. Renji was already gone to his Greek-themed affair as Byakuya walked off to room 306.
xXxXx
"Did you hear about the killing of that one girl down at the other district?"
Rukia nodded as she lifted the cup of hot chocolate to her lips. "It was horrible."
Father and daughter were sitting in the living room after a sumptuous dinner. Ukitake fixed Rukia with a serious stare. "Rukia, I don't want you out alone if you can help it, alright? People often read these sort of news and think lightly of them, like it probably will never happen to their own children, or even themselves. But I'm not going to want to take a chance. So be very careful when you are out."
Rukia nodded. "Hai, Otousan."
"And if possible, have Byakuya-san by your side always."
Rukia looked up in shock at the words but Ukitake simply smiled at her. "Both of you are dating, are you not?"
"I..."
Ukitake just smiled and returned to reading his newspaper as his young daughter blushed.
xXxXx
Byakuya looked at the door number. 306. It was going to be a number he would remember for the rest of his life.
He pushed open the door and entered the room. His eyes immediately fell onto what he had requested. Madam Aiko had definitely did as told, even if the instructions had seemed overly strange. Byakuya had also sworn her to secrecy, so Renji would never get to laugh at him.
Hello?
Madam Aiko.
Byakuya-san! It's been a long time since you called, my dear!
I've been busy.
I see, I see. And what might be the occassion?
Abarai and I will be heading down to your parlour in a few hours. I'd like a few specific arrangements for myself, which I'd prefer to be kept between us both.
Certainly, certainly, Byakuya-san.
I would like Room 306. And I would like a nice set of Nabe in there.
I-I beg your pardon, Byakuya-san? N-Nabe?
Nabe. Food. Also, I would like a cordless phone set in there with a private line.
But of course, Byakuya-san. Now, which girl-
And most importantly, no women are allowed in that room.
N-No women?
None at all.
Now Byakuya stared into the room, at the bedside table where an already-cooking set of Nabe and a white cordless telephone set stood. And he had particularly requested there not be any women at all in his room at a love parlour. The scene was almost so sad it was almost laughable.
Byakuya smiled as he settled into the familiar bed. He had also requested Room 306. And he was always going to use Room 306.
It's room 306. And… she's really… new. As in… really, really new.
You know what you are here for, and I know what I paid for.
Byakuya's hand touched the white sheets on the bed as his mind began to drift. How her body felt like below his, how they moved together on the bed, lost in passion and lust as they explored each other for the very first time...
Byakuya smoothed his hand over the sheets and smiled. If his legions of demon followers could see him now…
Byakuya made himself comfortable at the table and took up the chopsticks, extracting a salmon fillet from the hot pot. Then he picked up the white telephone and dialed the number.
xXxXx
Rukia turned over on her stomach as she reached for her phone on the bed. It was after dinner and she was lounging in her room, reading a novel. She stared at her mobile phone. An unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Rukia." The little shot of warmth that tingled its way down her spine at the deep baritone was unmistakable.
"Byakuya?" Her voice came out a little breathless.
"What are you doing now? Have you had dinner?"
"Yes. I'm just in my room reading. Have you had yours?"
"I'm having mine right now. How was your day?"
Rukia tried to slow her fast-beating heart. "It was good. Just classes and then I went for spa with my dorm mate." She hesitated. "What... are you doing now? Besides dinner, I mean."
"After dinner, I will have work to do."
"On a Friday night?" Rukia could not stop herself as she exclaimed in disbelief.
She heard him laugh softly. "If I didn't have any work, would you accompany me on a Friday night?
"I…"
Byakuya chuckled. "What time do you start working in the flower shop tomorrow, Rukia?"
"Er… usually in the afternoon and then into late evening."
"I see. I will drop by then." The deep voice chuckled again. "Something tells me you would throw me out if I came in the middle of your work."
Rukia nodded dumbly before she realized Byakuya could not see her. But he did not wait for any answer. "After all, I would be distracting you, wouldn't I?"
Rukia's cheeks flamed at the subtle tease.
"I…"
"I miss you already." The deep voice vibrated. "How long has it been, Rukia? Two days? Three?"
Again, Rukia nodded foolishly.
"I will come see you tomorrow. Till then… sleep tight, Rukia. And good night."
"O-Oh. Good night. And good luck with your work."
xXxXx
Work.
"W-Why are y-you doing this?" The choked voice rasped out, as panicked screams and shouts rang through the air.
"Been feasting a little out of norm, haven't we?" Byakuya remarked casually, as he tightened his hand on the Ootowari clan leader's neck, sliding him painfully higher up against the wall.
"I-I don't k-know…"
Byakuya fixed the leader with his emotionless grey eyes. The Ootowari demon clan had been a neighbouring clan on the outskirts of the city within which the Kuchiki clan resided. The Ootowaris were infamous for their blood lust and torturous way of hunting, preferring to feast on fresh human meat instead of the standard Incubus draining of life force from humans. However, they had never impinged into the Kuchiki territory once, though Byakuya knew they were biding their time.
Now, he pushed the leader roughly into the wall again.
"I asked you which minion did you send to kill the girl in the south city district days ago?"
"I-I… didn't… W-We never touched t-those in the city…"
Deep down inside, Byakuya already knew this was the answer. The young Incubus had instinctually felt that the Ootowari clan would never cross into the city. After all, it was everything to their loss as they were bound to be found out. Why would they hunt into the powerful Kuchiki territory and risk a massacre like the one today?
"You never hunted in the city." Byakuya's voice was calm.
"N-Never."
"I see. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Byakuya spoke coolly… before crushing the leader's neck with his bare hand. With a swift motion of his lethal hand, he beheaded the leader without so much as a blink of an eye.
As the body fell to the floor, Byakuya turned towards the entrance of the leader's room. The shouts and screams were now dying down, his demon entourage had probably finished off all the members of the Ootowari clan.
Yes, Byakuya knew this clan had probably been minding their own business. But when his subordinates were confident of the Ootowari's part to play in the killings, he took that reason up to wipe out the entire clan.
The Ootowari had long been a thorn in the flesh of the Kuchiki clan, as far back as his grandfather had told him. It was trouble waiting to happen, as the enemy clan grew stronger and lay in wait. Byakuya was always someone who liked the prevention principle, he preferred to eliminate potential things before they even had a chance to get out of hand. It was something he knew the members of the Kuchiki clan praised him for… as a ruthless predator.
Byakuya always preferred winning… even before the game started.
xXxXx
"Everything clear?" Byakuya asked as he was greeted at the front by his first-line of demon guard led by Renji.
"Hai!"
Byakuya nodded, his expression emotionless. "It is once again a successful mission for the Kuchiki clan."
The guards beamed at each other.
"Let's go." Byakuya was about to walk away when his sharps ears caught the sniffle. Then the tiny gasp that came from the remains of a cove which had probably served as a sitting area in the Ootowari mansion. It was now covered with bricks and debris from the fight just now, but Byakuya saw that the cove could fit someone small enough to take refuge within.
Byakuya walked over and took hold of an enormous chunk of brick wall that had fallen right across the cove. With one hand, he threw the wall easily to one side, as sand and dust flew up in the air.
As the debris died down, all the Kuchiki clan demons saw her. Byakuya looked down at the little female demon as she whimpered. She couldn't be any more than thirty years of age, just a newborn. She had long brown hair and was clutching a teddy bear, her face wet with tears and her nose running.
Byakuya bent down so they were eye level. And he saw them then.
She had very big, violet eyes.
The child demon trembled, as she sniffled again.
Byakuya reached out a hand towards her and the girl closed her eyes, waiting for the death blow. But the pale hand touched the fur of the teddy bear instead.
"Do you like them?" Byakuya asked softly.
The small demon opened her eyes and stared at Byakuya. When he did not speak, she nodded fearfully.
"Do you like rabbits too?"
Again, she nodded.
Something crossed through Byakuya's misty grey eyes. He stood up from his position in front of the small demon.
"You may not understand right now but if I did not do this, your family would do it to me, make me lose everything like this." Byakuya spoke, his voice deep and firm. "I want you to leave and never come back. Find another life. Because if you return one day with the intention of destroying my clan, I will really kill you." The small demon trembled. "I know you are scared but I'm going to let you live today." His grey eyes softened ever so slightly so only the child demon could see. "Because you have beautiful eyes."
Renji stepped forward. "But Byaku-
"Let's go."
He was barely three steps away when he heard her timid voice.
"I-I know who i-it was."
Byakuya slowly turned to look at the female demon.
The girl was now rocking slightly, like a scared ball on the floor. "I-I saw. I-I was in the city, just l-looking around. And I saw… in t-the alley."
Byakuya stared at her. "Who?"
The girl looked up at the entourage of demons as her eyes flitted through the team of Kuchiki clan demons. Her eyes grew round as her gaze fixed somewhere in their midst. "I-It…"
There was a blur of movement and then a horrible crack cut the air.
Byakuya's eyes slowly narrowed. "Ichimaru."
Ichimaru Gin stood with his lanky frame and grey hair, his skeletal arms now holding the dead child demon with her twisted neck.
"I believe I did not say you could touch the girl." Byakuya spoke calmly.
"My sincere apologies, I could not contain my irritation."
Byakuya stared at Gin but he did not look away, his mouth still smiling.
"She could have given us very important information on what was really killing the humans. For that and belaying my orders, you will take the standard punishment."
Gin remained smiling with his slit-like eyes. He let the small body drop to the dusty floor unceremoniously. Byakuya turned to head out of the Ootowari mansion as one of the guards stepped forward and bowed. Two others surrounded Gin.
"Fifty whips, my Lord?"
Byakuya stopped and turned slightly, his grey eyes calm. "Make it eighty."
xXxXx
Byakuya drove his Porsche easily through the street before taking a left turn down a shortcut. He had gone home and changed into a fresh white dress shirt, before leaving his house once again. Now he pulled up at the entrance of Amor Florals. Getting out of his car, he closed the door and turned to walk up the side of the house.
He stared up at Rukia's bedroom window. It was dark, she had already gone to bed.
Byakuya breathed in the night air slowly, before turning his head to check both sides of the street he was standing on. Then with a fluid movement, he leapt up onto the wall of the house before reaching for the railing of Rukia's balcony. He swung himself easily over the railing and landed without a sound in her balcony.
From outside, Byakuya could see the form that was Rukia, sleeping in bed. But he didn't feel like just watching this time. A pale arm reached out before softly pushing the handle of the glass door. It swung noiselessly open and Byakuya stepped into Rukia's room for the very first time. She was curled up amongst the sheets, sound asleep. Byakuya turned to her bedside table and his mouth curled into a subtle smile. The rose he had given her now stood in a tall blown glass on the table.
So you kept it right by your side, Rukia.
Byakuya tugged the covers on Rukia so they slipped downwards just a little. She grunted, shifting slightly so her face now turned upwards, towards Byakuya himself. Byakuya silently observed her, her facial features, her hair. She was smiling slightly in her sleep, and was apparently lost in a good dream.
Slowly, Byakuya bent over the bed and placed both his hands on either side of Rukia. Then he lowered himself and kissed her ever so softly on the forehead. He straightened up and watched her silently for a while longer. His eyes widened slightly as Rukia rolled over in bed and opened her mouth.
"Per… vert…" she mumbled in her sleep.
Byakuya could not help it, he chuckled.
Dreaming of me, Rukia?
The Incubus watched the way her chest lifted and dropped peacefully with each breath he took. And all he wanted to do was to get on the bed and press the little warm angel into his arms. She would feel heavenly, she really would. Byakuya closed his eyes and resisted the temptation for the thousandth time.
Rukia, tell me, what do I do?
xXxXx
And there you have it. Just a little more progress story-wise, with the murders and yet another wipeout of another demon clan by the skilled Byakuya and his followers. :) And the scary Gin (I felt really bad for the unnamed child demon after I wrote her death) I liked that scene a lot and it was pitiful because she was so scared and Byakuya was already willing to let her go. (he did because she had eyes which reminded him of Rukia :D) Ichigo and Nel got a little bit of time here (did anyone notice something? XD) And in the middle of all of it, Byakuya and Rukia still have time to bask in some lovely moments together. :)
And our poor Byakuya eating Nabe in the love parlour all by himself. XD
Look forward to the next chapter, I hope I can make it good when I write it out... for their third date! :D I promise a lot of Byakuya-Rukia quality love time. :)
Anyway, I know I rarely reply reviews unless the reader manages to pinpoint a future plot in the fic that amazes me, or if he/she has some criticisms which I need responding to. In short, it's usually a spur-on-the-moment feeling which leads me to replying a review, and it doesn't always happen. So I decided to answer all the reviews for the previous chapter here for the very first time. I thank you all for the reviews you have wrote for this fic, they are wonderful, they motivate me, so I just want to show a little appreciation by replying your reviews here this time. :) BEWARE: It's going to be a little long.
Oh, and before I go... hope you would review this chapter for me, and tell me what you think... your thoughts, opinions, feedback :D It helps motivate my writing, thank you! :D
And here are the replies:
SunRises: Lol really? Yeah actually, I realized that you're online each time. ^^ Yep, Byakuya is our handsome, sexy show-off demon, more so when in Rukia's presence. XD
ByaRukifan: Thank you so much! Well, i hope you like this one too. :)
compa16: I hope you like the new update. :D
xxUlquiorraLoveRxx: Really? Thanks! Actually, it's one of the reasons I like writing this fic, I can write him as sexy and cunning as possible. In the original Bleach storyline, he might know he's a handsome little thing *giggles* but he acts all serious most of the time. Now here, Byakuya can go all seductive on Rukia. :D
vicky73: Thank you so much, I love reading your reviews! :) Expect more developments, it's still a long way from what I believe is the nicest part. :D
cactuspd: Thank you so much for your review, I was very touched and really honoured by it. :) I hope you enjoy this new update, and will continue to enjoy this fic.
ceiyn: Lol, real-life guys are a bit dense, aren't they? XD Thank you, and he'll make a move soon, watch out for it. :)
silverdoutrane: Yeah, the movie is good, better than the previous two, I think you'd like it. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed this new one.
xdayanarax: Hey daya! *hugs* Thanks for the review, it was a real pleasant surprise (I didn't know you read Demons! :D)
onlyluna: Oh, watch it when it comes out then, it's pretty good. :) And thank you so much, I hope you like this new chapter, the developments will come fast enough soon. :)
tokiko76: *high fives you back* Lol, I'm lame as well. XD I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though there's less ByaRuki progress-wise. :)
RunSakura: Lol. Yay! :D
Pope Benedict XVI: Thanks for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Yeah, it was good, wasn't it? I hope the last one will the epic final to cap it all off. :)
Nica: Thank you for the review. Oh dear, I hope you won't be too sad with the latest chapter, because this one doesn't have much progress ByaRuki-wise either. But do watch out for more developments, especially in the next chapter. ;)
cinecaption: fluttey fluttery subtle-ulterior-motiveish thing - best thing I've seen in a while. XD Thank you, and I'll keep writing! :D
RukiaCHAN 1: Thank you, I hope like the new one! Actually, I bawled in the cinema at that scene. :(
loveyouso: Thank you so much. Yep, our Byakuya here is Mr. Too-Smooth-and-Sexy. XD
Voidy: Thank you so much! *hugs* Get well soon. :)
D: Thank you so much. Yes, I did include some information on Nabe in that chapter (it's one of my favourites actually so that makes it easier for me to tell the story :D) I hope you enjoy this update.
RukiaYoukoMaSaHi: Thank you so much! :D
L: Thank you for the review! :)
Sepsis: Yep, she's opening up to him as we go along. :D And our Byakuya is always jealous of "boyfriend" Ichigo. XD
DRUON: Thank you so much for the review, and I hope you like this update.
cintiasnakeblack: Thank you so much! Yes, i have. Nabe is one of my favourites, I eat it about once in 2-3 weeks. :D It's really good (and as Rukia said, good for rainy days XD) I'm really happy you enjoyed the development of the ByaRuki relationship.
seras3791: Thank you! He is a bit nosy, isn't he? XD
BlackBurningHeart: Thank you so much for your review! I'm glad you like where their sweet relationship is headed. :) Your father slept in the movies? Lol, so cute! Better than mine anyway, he doesn't even know what Harry Potter is all about. XD
Sakimi1014: Thank you so much, and I hope you like this short update enough. :)
silverqueen: Thank you so much. And update is here, with my reply! :D
naru894: Thank you! :D
Crystal-Clear Hope: Thank you for the review. I hope this update is soon enough for you, and I hope you like it. :D
obsessed dreamer: You like Nabe too? It's real good, isn't it? I'm going out for it this coming weekend again. XD Oh, and I hope you like the new updated chapter. :)
LittleRin26: Thank you so much for your review! Yep, the rose was one of my more cheesier ideas. XD
aShiZeRU: Thank you. Yes, he's trying to get her to fall in love with him, which she already is, against her will. XD I've just had a new idea for another ByaRuki fic but I think I should focus on Demons more first. :)
1SuperKawaii: Thank you! :)
DarkAngelLida: Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed this story.
Nikki-4: Thank you! I hope you like this chapter, and look forward to the next for more lovely ByaRuki time! :D
YuYuAnne: Thank you! Ditto with me, I wouldn't mind having a Bya-kun slave. XD
isara-love: Thanks for the review, isara! *hugs* I hope you like the new chapter.
K...Nature: Thank you! And don't worry so much yet, our Byakuya is a pretty smart (and sexy) demon. :D Hope you like the new update.
reecei: Thank you so much! I'm very honoured to receive your review, and your grammar is perfect! :D Yeah, Byakuya is a bit weak now but don't worry so much, he's smarter than you think he is. ;) And he knows how to get what he wants. :D
Light of the Firefly: Thank you so much! I hoped you liked TWYB and that you will like this one better! :D Actually, your review was the pushing point for me to update. I just get random drives sometimes when I suddenly get a FF notification out of the blue. :)