I'm happy to update this fic with yet another chapter, it's slightly more than a week since my last update. :) I would say it's pretty stressful right now, but I'm coping with it. I'm currently heading my class for the forensics department and it gets a bit much sometimes with the organization and arrangements. And of course, I do get pissed when a few classmates complain about stuff left, right and center and propose for the whole thing to be overturned so the heads have to do all the work again. I just give them some choice words and then let them be (unlike some of the heads who don't speak up). It's also interesting here in forensics, I can safely say I will be able to watch horror movies with ease from now on. The cases we get over here in the dept are the gore of your nightmares.

But enough about my RL for now. I wish to thank the reviewers of the past chapter, thank you so much! They keep me going! :D Crystal-Clear Hope, Royal blueKitsune, soulflower70, Nathalie Shiffer, compa16, byakuchiki, YuzurihaNoRyuu, ashy-book-lova, LuciL06, Lanny-Sama, silverqueen, KendoGirl95, Lilian Violet, Hikara-Hime, Light of the Firefly, Huh Soobin, cintiasnakeblack, xxUlquiorraLoveRxx, Kichou, YuYuAnne, Moon Ash, RunSakura, Reiha No Arashi, Sakimi1014, Kaze Yaiba, mandapanda13, 4K-san, tokiko76, isara-love, buchielle, XLightningX, 1SuperKawaii, BlackBurningHeart, onlyluna, L, ForTheLoveofTigerLilies, Apricot09, Oicherealtai, vicky73, loveyouso, DRUON, seras3791, Fumi Raisin, Some thoughts after reading, obssessed dreamer.

I have some points to talk about but that will be in my ending Author's Note (it's pretty long). :P

So here I present... Chapter 19. :) Hope you enjoy this.

'Thank you for sending me home.'

Byakuya stared at the text message on his mobile phone as he pushed back his executive chair from his desk and leaned his head back on the headrest.

'It was my pleasure, thank you for coming over. Nel seems to be a very nice dormmate. –Byakuya-'

'She is. And she said you are handsome.'

Byakuya chuckled slightly. 'Do you think so too? –Byakuya-'

Byakuya closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Knowing Rukia, she probably would be too embarrassed to answer to that particular message. He chuckled, picturing an irresistible blushing Rukia hiding amongst her sheets in the bedroom.

"Hey, you aren't texting her, are you?"

Byakuya looked up at his disgruntled assistant who was sitting opposite him, and sifting through the contracts on the table.

"You should know, Abarai."

Renji huffed slightly and opened a blue folder. "What's her name again… Rukia?" Byakuya nodded. "She better be one hell of a monster in the bedroom skills… considering this huge secret I'm carrying around with me everyday. Man, I can't even look at you the same way anymore!"

Byakuya gave Renji a cold look before moving to tackle more of the paperwork. "You have not told anyone."

"No, for the hundredth time. Though every time I see Matsumoto sauntering down the hallway, I have to resist poking her in the face. With her gossip queen status, and she knows nothing of this!"

"And she better not." Byakuya gave Renji a knowing look.

Renji lifted his hands in front of him. "Hey, I swore you my silence and Abarai Renji is a demon of his words."

Byakuya said nothing and rifled through a few pages in the folder.

"Actually… I'm wondering why I'm not getting a huge reward for this huge favour I'm doing you…" Renji muttered cheekily as he looked up from the papers. "Plus I'm actually helping you go through this work hell."

"You won't be going to Seattle with me for this business trip, so you won't have to prepare arrangements for the big talk."

"Yeah, for that I'm grateful. Not that I hate the US, but the girls there, they practically jump on me! I don't want to take the spotlight away from you."

Byakuya said nothing and continued to read. After a while, he spoke up. "There is a reason why you are not going to Seattle."

Renji looked up in surprise. "A reason?"

"Yes, I need you here on duty."

"Duty? For what?"

"I'm going to need someone to keep an eye on Rukia while I'm gone."

Renji's eyes widened in shock and he threw his papers onto the table. "WHAT! Now I'm baby-sitting a human?"

Byakuya looked at him coolly. "You probably remember the killings in the district a month back. A lot of the Kuchikis believed that the perpetrator has been eliminated with the wiping-out of the Ootowari clan."

Renji nodded.

"It wasn't them."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because the leader confessed to me… before I killed him."

Renji's eyes widened again. "You have been keeping a lot from me." He looked at Byakuya, and then his eyes grew round. "Ooohh… so you just used it as reason to take a secret threat out."

Byakuya nodded. "I want you around here to keep an eye on things while I'm gone, and to report to me anything that seem amiss. And pay special attention to Rukia, I don't want her hurt. Because I think that demon or demons are still out there biding their time for whatever their plans are. I don't want her caught in an accidental crossfire."

"So what? I'm supposed to tail her hidden? Hide in bushes and trees?"

"No. I know you like to be flashy so I arranged for you to do so in broad daylight, in plain sight of everyone."

Renji frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Byakuya put a hand into his breast pocket before taking something that looked like a card out of it. He slid it across the table to Renji, who picked it up and read it.

The redhead's eyes almost popped out of his head. He looked up at Byakuya, his eyes filled with dread and disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Abarai Renji, a week-transfer student to Nagoya University. You will take the sports classes, they are arranged at the same time as Rukia's research schedule so when you both are free at the end of the day, you can see her home."

Renji blanched in horror.

"When you meet her, you are to introduce yourself as the nephew of my blood aunt's husband, which makes us distant cousins. You are to come from the town of Kanda in Fukuoka Prefecture, it is a rather remote area so you won't be faced with questions. Tell her I recommended you the university for your week-long stay. She will be less wary of you then."

"Y-You…"

"I have arranged a five-day week off for you here at Azaris, on the pretext of you heading into town to oversee a potential business deal. Do stick to that story."

"B-But…"

"I was going to find some way to keep Rukia safe while I was away but now that you know the whole story anyway, it wouldn't hurt for you to be a part of it."

"I…" A vein was starting to throb in Renji's temple.

"Your classes start the day after I leave, and that is when you keep her within your sight until I return. And-"

"HOLD IT!"

Byakuya looked up coolly at Renji, who had just jumped up from his seat. "What makes you think I'm going to agree!"

"When I return from Seattle and see a good end-result, you will receive a pay rise of ten percent and a brand-new Lamborghini for your hard work."

Renji's eyes widened. "I-Is it-

"Lamborghini Murcielago with base engine 6.5L V12, the one you have been dying to get. Also, I signed you in for the sports classes closely associated with aquatics so you can enjoy some 'scenery' while working. I heard the girls in Nagoya are not bad-looking."

Byakuya watched as his assistant struggled with the internal conflict between his trampled pride and the desire for the luxury of his dreams. Byakuya returned his attention to the contract paper to read a few more paragraphs.

"Okayyyy. Fine."

Byakuya looked up. "What is?"

"I will do it. Look after your human mistress whatever."

Byakuya fixed Renji with a cold look. "Rukia."

"Okay, Rukia. I will enter Nagoya the day after you board the plane. When's that again?"

Byakuya looked up. "In three days."

"Okay. Say, will you be meeting her before you leave?"

"I might see her for a bit the night before I leave. Either that, or I will come see her when I get back. By then, I will expect favourable results."

"Definitely. It's a Murcielago on the line, you know."

Byakuya nodded as Renji rambled on. "Gotta love the sex in them, the babes always seem tighter there, guess doing it in speedy things turn them on real bad."

The distaste passed quickly through Byakuya's grey eyes, but he nodded again.

Renji grinned cheekily as he leaned toward Byakuya across the table. "You sure about this though? What if she falls in love with me?"

"Knowing her, you getting away without a punch in the face would be good enough."

Renji waved his hand dismissively. "A pint-sized woman can't be that scary, and definitely won't bring Abarai Renji down."

xXxXx

Renji was never a genius and that fact was made even more prominent, growing up next to the child prodigy that was Kuchiki Byakuya. Sometimes, Renji wondered if he was actually stupid to begin with, but it didn't matter. He let a carefree life and loved letting his fists rather than his mouth do the talking. After all, ignorance was bliss, wasn't it? He knew a lot of the demons in the clan thought he was an idiot, a no-brainer. Sometimes, Renji even suspected that Byakuya thought of him as a simpleton.

And once again, he was sure his superior believed the huge reward would win him over, to take care of the human girl. Well, the Murcielago was the major reason he chose to take up the job but there was one thing he was also rather keen on.

He was going to integrate himself close to Rukia… and break her bond with Byakuya.

After all, she was just a human, and Byakuya could not have fallen for a mortal even if he had admitted it himself. His superior was probably disillusioned ('too much work could do that to someone,' Renji thought) between obsessed lust and that laughable thing people called love. He was probably just obsessed with the girl for the time being. Granted, the biggest obsession he had ever had, but still just an obsession.

Renji was going to put an end to that.

He was going to see what this girl was like, and then figure out a way to make her end the relationship. It was going to be easy, he knew all the ways of women. He wasn't just doing this for the dream Lamborghini.

Don't blame me, Byakuya. I will take care of her… from you.

xXxXx

Rukia smiled to herself as her hands worked easily in front of her.

A little bit more to go.

After fifteen minutes, Rukia gave a satisfied shout of victory and she stared happily at the thing in her hands.

'Good job, Rukia,' she congratulated herself.

Just then, her mobile phone rang and she looked up in surprise. Lunging for it, Rukia slid it open. "Hello?"

"Rukkkiiiaaaaaa."

Rukia laughed. "Yes, my beautiful Nel?"

"I swear Rukia, if you were a guy, I'd totally date you!"

Rukia laughed. "What's up?"

"Oh, well, the girls are currently making reservations at the manicure and pedicure shop over here, a day before the gala night. Hiyori just wanted me to tell you that one spot will be booked for you, whether or not you like it. And to top it off, there will be one more facial booking and spa."

Rukia laughed. "Okay. Tell the girls thank you so much."

"No problem. After all, it's just four days away!"

Rukia's eyes widened. She hadn't realized that the entire week had flown by. "Okay, I will see you sometime then, Nel."

"Dada!"

Rukia placed the mobile phone down on the bed. Four days from now? That means Byakuya would be leaving for Seattle soon. When was it? Rukia racked her brain for the exact date, but it didn't seemed that he had told her a direct date. Was it tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?

'I should just call him to confirm it.'

Rukia was about to dial the number when her mobile phone went off again. "Hello?"

"Hey, Rukia!"

"Ichigo?" Rukia smiled. "What's up?"

"Not much but I just saw the listings for the movies. Our target movie is playing now!"

Rukia gasped. "Really? So fast?"

"Want to go see it?"

"Yeah, sure. When?"

"Tonight?"

"Tonight?" Rukia echoed with slight shock. So fast?

"Er, it's okay if you are not free tonight. We can go for another time."

"Oh. No, not really. Let's do tonight then."

"Great! I will pick you up in, say, thirty minutes?"

Rukia looked out her window. It was late evening. "Okay, Ichigo. See you then!" She smiled and placed the phone back on the bed before going into the bathroom to change.

xXxXx

Byakuya placed his folders into the drawer of his office table. He surveyed the tabletop surreptitiously, the perfectionist in him checking out the tidiness and perfect angle of the papers and stationery.

It was Byakuya's last day in the office, before heading to Seattle tomorrow. And yet, it had been the busiest one yet. He had packed his necessities for the trip in a small luggage bag so all he had to do was go home and rest now before his morning flight tomorrow.

But Byakuya was going to have to see Rukia one time before he left for five days. He hadn't spoken to her face-to-face in a while, he doubted she even knew he was leaving tomorrow. He was going to see her for a bit and maybe kiss her for five days' worth (a small smile crossed Byakuya's face at the thought). He flicked the lights out and left his office suite.

xXxXx

"That was really funny!" Rukia laughed as she sipped from her drink.

"Yeah." Ichigo laughed. "I didn't see that coming! And the part where they just started fighting out of nowhere in the piano room?"

Rukia laughed again. "Yeah! I was having a stomachache then! It's amazing they had the comedy done across an action film!"

Ichigo nodded. "Definitely one of the tops in my list! I'm going to recommend it to Grimmjow sometime."

Rukia nodded as she drank from her cup. It was after the movie and Ichigo and her had grabbed a fast food meal at the nearest McDonald's. It was night now and both of them were walking back home after taking the bus ride to a nearby street station.

It had been a fun outing. At first, it had been a little awkward just the two of them, but Rukia quickly warmed up to Ichigo's natural personality. After all, he had been her friend for years now and they clicked well. Soon, they were talking and laughing about everything they could talk about. The movie, classes on campus, Ichigo's music band, Shinji's new shirt. The only awkward moments were when both the movie ticket counter lady and bus driver commented on how compatible they looked as a couple. Rukia's eyes widened then and she had shot Ichigo an apologetic look but he would just happily laugh it off. He was nice, and didn't try anything on her throughout the movies trip, just talking easily with her.

It was good, all good.

"So how's your preparation going for the gala night?"

Rukia looked up at Ichigo's question and laughed. "As in being booked for potential facials and doing of nails? I got that covered."

Ichigo laughed again. "That sounds good. You will blow all of the guys off at the ball."

Rukia shook her head. "Don't bet your money on it."

Ichigo chuckled. "You'd be surprised at how much I'd bet on it."

Rukia looked up in surprise but Ichigo just smiled at her. "So who's the lucky guy?"

"Lucky guy?"

"Your gala night partner."

"Ohh…" Rukia looked forward as she slurped her drink. "I'm not going with a partner."

"Oh, why not?"

"Because…" He will be in Seattle on the day of the gala. "… I just didn't want a partner."

"Oh."

The two of them walked on in silence. Ichigo stared at Rukia silently as they walked but she did not appear to notice it.

"Well, here we are." Rukia smiled as they reached the intersection. "You, off right."

Ichigo laughed. "You won't let me be chivalrous and walk you home?"

Rukia smiled. "It's fine, Ichigo. It's just a few blocks, your house is the other way anyway. Plus, I already know of some moves from the movie just now." Rukia struck a comical martial arts pose and Ichigo had to laugh.

"Okay then. Be careful, Rukia. Give me a call when you're back."

"Okay."

"I had fun tonight." Ichigo smiled. "Thank you for watching the movie with me."

"That's my line." Rukia laughed. "Goodnight, Ichigo." She turned to her street.

"Hey."

Rukia stopped in surprise and turned back to look at Ichigo. He gave her a lopsided smile. "If you need someone to walk you to the dance or something, just ring me up."

Rukia smiled. "Okay."

Rukia smiled serenely to herself as she walked up the street to her house. It was rather late, a peaceful night breeze was blowing. Rukia was glad she had declined Ichigo's offer to walk her right up to the gate, she loved walking up this small street on her own. It gave her a sense of coming home, and she always had lovely thoughts as she walked home by herself.

Rukia looked up at the glittery stars shining down from the velvety sky. She had forgotten the exact date in which Byakuya would be leaving for Seattle. Was it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Rukia hoped it was the latter, she hadn't called him then so she could not be sure.

Rukia smiled again and kicked a pebble across the street. She watched it jump and scrap across the pavement.

Rukia's eyes widened as she watched the pebble come to a halt before a pair of black polished shoes.

Rukia's heart pounded fast, but then her eyes filled with subtle happiness as she recognized the figure.

"Byakuya?" She walked a little faster toward her house gate, where Byakuya leaned against his Porsche. When had he arrived here? Had he been waiting for her? Why hadn't he called her?

He looked the same as always, handsome and unfazed. Rukia felt happy at the sight, at least he didn't look worn-out or tired. She walked a little faster to reach him. But somehow his eyes were cold as they fixed on her and his emotionless expression did not change. Usually, he would greet her with a soft smile and she would see the hardness in his grey eyes lose themselves just a little. But this time, there was no smile at all. Rukia's steps faltered slightly as she stopped in front of Byakuya.

"Byakuya?" She tried again tentatively.

"Where were you?" His voice was soft, but his tone was like ice.

"I…" Rukia's brows furrowed confusion. "I was out. How long have you been here? I didn't receive any call, I think…" Rukia rummaged in her bag for her mobile. She was sure Byakuya hadn't called or texted her, she had checked her mobile phone once every ten minutes, even in the theater.

"If I had called, would you even leave his side to come to me?"

Rukia looked up in shock. Byakuya's eyes were fixed so coldly on her. "I, what-

"I can smell him… on you."

Rukia's eyes widened.

"You went out with Ichigo."

"I-

"I dropped by to tell you that my flight to Seattle leaves very early morning tomorrow so I would not have a chance to see you. I will return after five days."

Before Rukia could open her mouth, Byakuya turned away from her. Rukia thought he was getting something out of his coat but she was wrong. He began to walk back to the driver's side of the Porsche.

The conversation had ended, just like that.

He had barely spoken a few sentences to her. Rukia's hand lifted reflexively as she watched him walk away.

There's a present… I wanted to give you.

Byakuya opened the car door and got into his Porsche. He did not even spare her a single glance. If he would just look at her, she could perhaps hold his gaze and then open her mouth to tell him everything. If he would just look at her, then she would screw up some courage to pull him back. Rukia's heart was screaming out at her but her shocked mind would not have her body obey. Stop him! Tell him everything! But Rukia was frozen to the spot, unable to move or open her mouth, as the rehearsed speech she had been preparing for their farewell ran through her mind.

I heard it can be quite rainy and cold in Seattle this month so I knitted you a little jacket.

Byakuya started the engine, his eyes coldly fixed on the road.

It's not really pretty but it will be warm.

The Porsche roared away from the curb as Rukia stared after it, her eyes filling with sadness.

Goodbye and come back safe, alright?

The speedometer climbed rapidly as Byakuya floored the gas pedal. His expression was calm and unaffected but his grey eyes were narrowed.

You went out with Ichigo.

Byakuya's hand gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. One hundred and eighty. Two hundred. Two hundred and twenty. The Porsche zoomed down the highway at a lethal speed, the passing structures disappearing in flashes almost as soon as they appeared in the windscreen.

What am I to you, Rukia?

Byakuya gripped the steering wheel harder as his foot drove the pedal deeper into the floor. The powerful engine roared as the Porsche sped along the road.

What? What am I to you?

Byakuya suddenly hit the brakes and the tyres screeched horribly at the sudden halt to the high speed, drawing up burn marks along the road. Byakuya was thrown forward slightly but his seat belt held him in. His expression remained unperturbed, his hand still on the steering wheel. All was silent.

Have I always been on the losing side?

The grey eyes hardened even more. Byakuya swiftly reached for his mobile phone in the compartment drawer as his fingers dialed a number.

"Renji."

"Hey Byakuya. What's up, I was just-

"Change me to a night flight to Seattle right now."

"W-What? Tonight?"

"Tonight." Byakuya stared out over the road. "I'm getting out of this place tonight."

"Ah? So soon? Okay then. I will see you to the airport in, say, fifteen minutes?"

"There won't be any need to. Just make sure the booking is in, and I will head there on my own."

"O-Oh. You alright, Byakuya? Something happened?"

"Nothing, I'm fine. Just get the bookings done."

"Hai." Renji heard his superior hesitate on the line for a bit before he heard the deep voice again.

"Remember. Your duty… starts tomorrow."

"Hai."

Rukia walked mechanically back to her bedroom. Otousan was already asleep so she trudged up the stairs to the bedroom. Rukia flipped on the light switch and made her way to the bed. She silently sat down on it and stared at the fluffy grey jacket sitting on her bed. Rukia ran her fingers over the fabric, she had just finished knitting it today.

Rukia felt a bitter tickle start in her throat.

Byakuya was so angry, so angry at her. She had never seen him so hostile and cold before. It hurt. He somehow knew she had went out with Ichigo, while he waited for her outside her home.

If I had called, would you even leave his side to come to me?

He had spoken the words with such a cold, accusing tone. She was somehow upset, upset that he would think of her that way.

Of course I would... don't you already know that?

She was angry at herself, for not explaining about what really happened. It was just a movie outing, nothing more than the ones she had every week with Nel and the girls. She was also angry at herself for not remembering that he was leaving tomorrow. If she had known, she would not have stupidly gone out for a movie, she would have headed over to his office or home to say goodbye. She was also upset that he had waited outside her home in the cold, for probably a long time.

Her heart was feeling a lot, and none of it was good.

Rukia swallowed the thick lump in her throat and reached for her mobile phone. She took a deep breath and dialed Byakuya's cell number.

The number you have dialed is not in use. Please leave a message or try again later.

Rukia's eyes widened at the female operator's voice, her hand falling to her side. Byakuya disconnected his number?

xXxXx

'Curse you, Byakuya, curse you. This is ridiculous.'

Renji huffed in irritation as he adjusted his shirt and dogtag necklace. It had been decades since he had put on this get-up, having abandoned college life a long time ago. He could faintly recall some clothing styles he had used, since he used to change universities when the Kuchiki clan overstayed their due time and they had to move in order to evade suspicion of the humans. But that was a long time ago, and before he took up the post of executive assistant behind Byakuya. He hadn't been to university ever since then.

But Renji was certain this outfit would kill the babes for sure. He was decked out in a yellow shirt with a jacket, complete with ripped jeans. A few females had already given him appreciative stares as he walked across campus, but they weren't half decent-looking so Renji gave them a pass.

It was morning now and he was now officially on leave from Azaris for an idiotic mission to take care of Byakuya's human mistress every day until his superior returned. Renji had already registered for his class but his first schedule wasn't starting till ten in the morning. Renji figured he should go find this Rukia and get to know her. Maybe ask her to point him to a good diner and have a long talk with her, and then put his perfect plan into action. Byakuya had given him a prep talk after Renji accepted the job offer so he knew where he could find Rukia.

The science building. Or was it research building? Whatever, it plain sucked anyway, and the women there would not look good, Renji was sure of it.

He moved across the field to the white building, past the marble sign with carved wordings of 'Nagoya Science Research Laboratories'.

Renji watched as a small group of students materialized at the front and began walking down the steps of the building. He watched them carefully, trying to catch a sight of any short, black-haired girl.

"Looking lost. You new here?"

Renji turned to the side in surprise. A young girl leaned against the wall of the building. A sexy, young girl. Her hair was long and flowy and they were a wondrous blue-green colour. She was dressed in a white blouse and a short jean skirt, complete with sneakers. Renji's eyes lingered on her chest, where a fantastic pair of boobs beckoned to him. He hoped to God this girl was in the aquatics class.

And she had practically hit on me in the first place.

"Yes. Abarai Renji, transfer student." Renji walked over to her and extended his hand, giving her his best ladies' smile.

"Oh. I'm Nel." The girl smiled. "So what are you looking for?"

I think I just about found it. "Oh, I'm looking for a friend here. She doesn't know I'm here, but I do know she does research in this building."

Nel nodded, her hazel eyes big. "I have a friend in this building too. Maybe when she comes out, you can ask her."

"I'd love to." Renji leaned slightly toward Nel, placing his hand on an ornamental post sticking out against the wall next to her shoulder.

Nel smiled back. "Okay. I think she's about done anyway."

"Yeah…" Renji smiled again. "Hey listen, would you mind-

Getting hot and heavy with me? "… if I ate lunch with you and your friend? I haven't really settled down here properly yet. That is, if you wouldn't find me bothersome."

"Sure!" Nel smiled. "That would be nice, Abarai-kun!"

Both of them turned toward the entrance as another group of students poured out of the entrance.

Renji's eyes widened suddenly as he caught sight of one particular girl.

God, that is Rukia.

He would recognize her anywhere. That short girl with no wondrous legs whatsoever, and absolutely nonexistent breasts. That must be some self-confidence she's having, because he couldn't detect any hints of a push-up. Man, you really could wash clothes on that flatboard chest.

God, Byakuya, talk about bad taste.

The only things which Renji found decent in her were her eyes. They were an okay colour, violet and rather big. And her hair was very black, black enough to rival Byakuya's.

But hair and eyes don't equal boobs. Boobs are number one, no question about it. Like this girl next to him, she could keep her boyfriend going and satisfied for eternity but Rukia… man, that girl must have some overwhelming charm for Byakuya to completely overlook the cleavage department.

"There she is! Hey, RUKIA!"

Renji's eyes widened in shock ('This girl knew Rukia!') before his hand accidentally slipped off the post. Before he knew it, he was touching the side of Nel's chest... and her left breast.

Renji heard the gasp and he felt the round curve of Nel's asset before he heard a loud shout in the distance. He looked up as he heard footsteps in his direction, and saw Rukia running toward him. Before he could react, Renji suddenly saw stars in front of his eyes as Rukia punched him full in the face. Before the Incubus could even comprehend the fact that he had been taken out by a human girl, he had crumpled to the floor.

Curse you, Byakuya, curse you.

xXxXx

Byakuya stared out at the night lights of the city Seattle. The sky was black with silver pinpricks of stars, while the city lay below it in its own gold glow of night life. He lifted the wine glass on his table and took a long drink, still looking out the balcony of the five-star luxury hotel suite. He should probably get back to that presentation he was working on, the meeting was in three days. Azaris was sitting on a gold mine, and it all depended on the outcome of this meeting.

But how could he concentrate?

Byakuya had left Tokyo in abrupt rage, a day earlier than he had planned to, and he had started using his International mobile number overseas. On the plane, he remembered that Rukia did not know of the number but he was too furious to care. Even as Byakuya sat in the business-class area, he had to control his anger the best he could as the air stewardesses looked about nervously at the plane lights which kept blinking on and off. Before the electronics went haywire and the entire plane plunged into the sea all because of his fluctuating demonic force, Byakuya managed to control his anger and dropped off into an uneasy sleep.

When the plane landed after a long flight, Byakuya checked into Seattle's Hyatt Regency Bellevue, one of the finest hotels in the city. He dined in Daniel's Broiler, went for laps in the spacious swimming pool, did all the high-class things many would dream of doing. The only thing he kept away from was the clubs, as he was on a business trip and to credit the code his Grandfather had set up, a proper image was to be maintained until the deal was completed.

Yet, despite everything he went about in the day, it all felt mechanical and stiff. Unreal. Now he sat looking out over Seattle, with only thoughts of Rukia to plague him cold.

She went out with Ichigo. She knew he was leaving the next day and yet, she went out with Ichigo as he waited for her. Byakuya felt the fury sweep through him as he gripped the champagne glass. What did she think he was?

When a knock sounded at his thick oak panel door, Byakuya ignored it. When two more knocks sounded, he placed the glass down on the table and went to open the door.

"Room service." He looked at the woman standing outside his suite, dressed in a provocative maid's outifit, her hair spreading out in luscious curls over her shoulder. Her dress was short up above the knees and her prominent bosom was tied with a lacy apron at the front, revealing a teasing glimpse of cleavage.

"I didn't know Bellevue room services ran into the night," Byakuya spoke calmly as he watched the woman smile.

"No, it doesn't. It's more of a personal room service." The woman smiled slightly and parted her lips. "And I'm not associated with the Bellevue."

Byakuya stared at her silently. "I see."

"Well then, could you let me in? If anyone walks into the hallway right now, I'd caught in a ridiculous outfit."

Byakuya said nothing but his feet stepped back, allowing the woman to step into his hotel suite. "Do I know you?" He started to walk back to his spot by the balcony.

"No, not really." The woman followed behind him. "Well, I clean your room often on my duty days." She laughed slightly, her voice sexy. "Okay I lied, I'm associated with the hotel. But I'm off hours now so it doesn't count."

"Doing it like this, you are putting your job and your hotel's reputation, at stake." Byakuya took a drink of red wine.

"Yeah, maybe. I will take my chances though." The woman stopped behind Byakuya and walked her fingers across his back. "There's just something so irresistible about a young, handsome man staying by himself in his suite… apparently with no commitments whatsoever."

Byakuya turned to look at the woman and his nose touched hers, she had moved in close.

"Do you?" she asked, her voice sultry.

"No, I don't," Byakuya answered as she bent forward and kissed him on the lips.

He was free, no commitments. He should be, after all, Rukia apparently did not let anything stop her from having her own fun with Ichigo. He could kiss this woman as much as he wanted to, heck, he could even push her into bed and fuck her right now… he was completely entitled to do so.

After all, she went out… with Ichigo.

Byakuya pressed his lips harder against the woman's, slipping his tongue into her open mouth, hearing her moan as he did so.

He was going to kiss this woman as he had never kissed Rukia, and then do more things to her, things he had obviously never done with Rukia. And it was easy, the woman was already clinging to him, pressing her body up against his.

Byakuya lazily twirled his finger around the woman's curls hanging at her shoulder. His hand moved down to the lacy ribbon tying her front together and slowly untied it. The woman panted into his mouth.

Rukia wasn't like that. Her breaths would come fast but she wouldn't openly pant like that. When she was actually panting, he was already panting the same as she was, showing that both of them urgently wanted it and that it wasn't just a one-sided party thing. Her mouth would stay so close to his, breathing warm air onto his lips, a tease to him to continue kissing her own lips until they were puffy.

The lacy apron slipped away and the woman slowly pushed him back onto the bed, unbuttoning his shirt as they went. She straddled him as she began to unzip his pants.

Her legs were nothing like Rukia's. Rukia's legs looked slender but they were strong and when they gripped him hard, they could send him into overdrive. Byakuya remembered how her legs had wrapped around him easily as they made out in the VIP room back in Cirque, and how the skin on her thigh felt under his fingertips. This woman's legs… they were like blocks somehow, even if they were strong.

And he didn't even know her name, they hadn't bothered introducing themselves before she had kissed him. He watched as she licked her lips sensually, and dropped his belt to the floor.

Rukia had never done anything like that to him. She was shy, inexperienced when he had her under his advances. He knew she wasn't really like this, that when she finally opened up to him and became his woman, he was going to be facing an even more lively, irresistible woman. But even in her timid state right now, it was already more than enough to make his desire for her almost unbearable. She would blush slightly whenever he teased her with erotic words or romantic statements. And yet he could see the seductive glow in her eyes when she got sexually excited, and it bowled him over every single time.

"What, is there something wrong?" The woman asked as she removed her own skirt and blouse, so that she was sitting atop him in only her lingerie.

"Nothing." Byakuya answered, emotionless as she started to kiss his chest. He closed his eyes, lost in thoughts instead of the feelings a woman's mouth should be stirring within him.

Her laughter as she walked alongside him in the amusement park.

Her anger at him for eating off her ice-cream, only to be replaced by playful gestures as she hit him. She could tease, just as well as he did.

Byakuya was about to push the woman off him when he remembered. No, Rukia wanted this, didn't she? She kept pushing him away to other women, did she not? So he was going to fuck one now, and make all her dreams come true. Find the right woman for him, as she had once told him. After all, she went out with the love of her life as he waited for her outside her house, didn't she?

Byakuya reached out and grabbed the woman's bottom, grinding hard against her. The woman moaned in pleasure, throwing her head back. The act was all right, but it barely aroused him.

Her skin, so warm and soft to touch. Her voice, as she called out to him in desperate desire. Her huge violet eyes, so dazed with pleasure.

Was it true? Was it all fucking true?

Or was she just playing him around?

"LEAVE!"

The woman's huge eyes opened in shock at the furious shout that ripped from Byakuya's throat.

"W-Wha… A-Are you-

"I said leave." The woman shrank away from Byakuya's fierce gaze, it was almost inhuman, his grey eyes burning with anger like a madman. She immediately got off Byakuya and picked up her clothes. Byakuya watched the woman with subtle contempt and disdain, right until she walked out of his hotel suite.

How could you compare to her?

He put his pants back on, leaving his shirt unbuttoned and got up from the bed. White hot fury was starting to course through Byakuya's veins again, and he was so angry, so angry at himself for the inability to do anything about it. He was breathing hard, his fists clenched and nothing was making sense except the horrible, dark vortex within him.

How can he compare to me?

With a inhuman shout, Byakuya lifted the ends of the expensive crystal glass table and smashed it into the wall, watching as the bits of glittering glass rained down onto the carpet along with droplets of red wine like blood.

And that is it for Chapter 19. It is intense, our Byakuya and Rukia are facing their first rocky challenge to their relationship. They are as far away from each other as they can get... and well, miserable in their places. T.T Well, Byakuya is being more scary than miserable... but he still pines for Rukia anyway. :P And there's our comical, narcissistic Renji starting off his first contact with Rukia in typical fashion. XD XD I won't be toying much with the 'I-fight-you-fight' couple conflict so the misunderstanding will probably boil over fast in 1-2 chapters. There will be a lot to the story so do watch out for that.

I like the way it's playing out, the plots are falling nicely into place with each chapter. :) However, one such reviewer under the anonymous name of 'Some thoughts after reading' (I did thank her anyway for reviewing the chapter) had some words to say about the entire thing, which didn't sit too well with me. It sounded rude to me somehow so while I'll be taking her criticisms with an open mind (and improving on them), I have my own words to say back to her.

To: Some thoughts after reading

First off, if you think it's getting boring and sleepy, just stop reading. Easy. Which I'm sure you won't do, because you would still be reading this anyway. Am I over-confident? Maybe. But I'm 100% sure you'll be reading my words, and continue reading Demons as long as it's being updated.

I have had thoughts of stopping this fic, and you know what? I think I will… but only after I feel the plot has stabilized. Right now, there are so many plot bunny chapters which have not come out yet so I feel unworthy to stop and have people say "That's it, that's all she's got?" when there's much more to the story so I want to prove as much as I can before stopping. When I've finally stopped Demons, the readers can blame people like you who come on and try to be smart with those who actually put in an effort to write. Have some credibility before you try to be critical, otherwise you look like a jealous joke.

If you think Rukia is weak and going to stay so, you probably haven't read my other ByaRuki fics. I'm not going to divulge secrets (like I did the last time) but what I like is progression and if you can't stick around long enough to see how it unfolds, be my guest and walk out the door. I honestly cannot be bothered any longer. (ordinarily, I'd reply this with a smiley face and tell you politely that there's so much more to come but you know what? You can just stop reading really, I don't care for a reader like you).

And I think you probably aren't a writer anyway (and nowhere as good as other ByaRuki writers). So you wonder why all ByaRuki fics are all like that? That can be easily remedied. Write your own ByaRuki fic, and read it. I'm sure the characters in there will be as in character as you'd like them to be and it'd even have the most amazing plot ever, how about that?

Forgive me if I appear very hostile because I don't respect your opinion as much as I do others who review with an account so I can reply and discuss this properly (as with reviewers of your sort that come signed in). In fact, I do and bluntly think you are a coward.

That's it, so don't try to be smart with me about the basic un-twistable things and suns rising in the east. A good author is not one who writes beautifully about a sun rising in the east, but one who can write about a sun rising in the west and make readers believe so. You can't appreciate fanfiction with that constricted mind of yours so while you think I should focus on my IC, I think you should stop reading fanfics and stick to the manga. Maybe for people like you, the sun should always rise in the east but for me as an author, the sun rises where I want it to rise. Otherwise, there's no point in me writing fanfiction, really.

~evenstar lady~

I apologize for appearing very snideful to comments like these. As I said before I'm heading my class for the forensics department for 3 weeks now and troubles keep popping up so I'm constantly on my feet trying to tie things up. Then I come on here and deal with online b*tches (I'm pretty sure this one's a female) as well, so my anger easily unleashes these few days.

I'm not unreasonable, I know where there are kinks in my fanfic and will of course be taking all the criticisms I get to better my writing. Slow speed... too-docile Rukia... IC problems. First off, slow speed... I know the chapters are going pretty slow but I'm someone who likes to build bonds based on strong material and interactions in 3-4 chapters, they don't do for me. Too-docile Rukia... hasn't Rukia always been docile around Byakuya in the manga? She starts out with overwhelming admiration for him, of course she's shy and has less of a confidence around him. If she hits him directly in the face at the start, and continue hitting him throughout the story while he woos her, then she would be OOC for me (I'd then have to deal with myself flaming my own writing XD). Rukia never stays docile throughout any ByaRuki fanfic, she eventually warms up to him and shows her real side and it's this progression that I've always loved in ByaRuki fics. Third... IC problems, I don't know which character is too much of an OOC here... this is an AU fic anyway, the characters are bound to veer off their original personality.

That's it, it's not a defence. Just an explanation to readers. I will try to improve on those points but only if MY plot allows it (which most often, does not). Rukia's not going to jump up and be lively with Byakuya all of a sudden, she's falling in love with him for God's sake!

And I wasn't kidding when I wrote the reply to the "reviewer" above, I have given some long thought to it and WILL be stopping Demons. But as I said, only after I feel that there's nothing I can offer anymore in the fic, and there's a long way to go with all the different plot bunnies. :)

I love writing, and I'm very passionate about it. I've built my confidence and it takes more than a 'Your fic is gay' or 'Your writing sucks' review for me to doubt my writing ability. I have earned my worth, and I know where I stand. It's not at the top of the world, but neither is it at the bottom.

I hope the newest chapter didn't disappoint too much. And sorry about the extremely long AN. I hope you enjoyed the update and do review this chapter for me so I can know your comments/feedback on my current writing. I'm open to criticism, just that I have a knack of replying rude ones in ANs. Or if you just have anything to say about my AN, or my perception on writing. :)